Funding as you say has been slashed dramatically in many areas and yes it hits the most vulnerable.
Some of those sleeping rough will be 'users' who are in a circle of drugs/booze with little help for those who want to get out of their addiction.
The mental health situation is the same, I have supported for TWO YEARS someone who has M.H. problems and desperately WANTS to be helped - only there isn't enough funding to continue with counselling. We go around in circles. There 'may' be a light at the end of this persons tunnel - if they are accepted but we are told it could take quite awhile to get onto this! Family long ago gave up and sometimes the person with M.H. problems need someone outside of the family - again lack of funding!
Social Care has long been suffering even when the last party were in!
A lack of Social care workers has been partially to blame for this.
I have friends who are Social workers - some have taken early retirement to get out of the huge case loads they had also the pressures of the job.
We saw a few years ago a mass influx of children being taken into care why - Mental Health problems, drugs and booze taking by parents.
They have spoken about taking the children of some refugees/immigrants to live with families of their own here - providing it doesn't put a strain on our welfare - what about the strain on the Social workers?????
I used to do some work in Sheffield Social Services and know the problems encountered around this - nuff said on that!!
It all comes down to lack of money and the only way out for some is ending their own life - sadly only last year we had a young woman who took her own life in woods just a short walk from where I live.
You are wise to be concerned for your child WCT !!!