Calls to better support parents as ‘children in need’ numbers rise

The national What Works Centre for Children and Families, Foundations, say the latest Government children in need figures underline an “urgent need” to tackle the factors affecting children who come into contact with children’s services.

The figures, which cover the year ending 31 March 2025, show an increase in the number of children classed as in need compared with 2024, even as the rate per 10,000 children fell for the third consecutive year. Nearly 50,000 children were on child protection plans (roughly one in every eight children in need) marking the lowest figure since 2014.

The data captures referrals and assessments completed by children’s social care services across all 153 local authorities in England. Children in need include those on child protection plans, looked-after children, care leavers, disabled children, and others assessed as requiring help or protection under the Children Act 1989.

At the same time, social care services received almost 633,000 referrals, up 11,000 (1.8%) on 2024. This represents the second increase since the sharp pandemic-era fall in 2021, when school closures led to a steep drop in referrals from education settings.

While referrals remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels (down 1.6% since 2020), re-referrals have risen again, with 22.6% of all referrals concerning children previously referred within the past year. Referrals from the police remain the most common source (28%), followed by schools (21%), with notable increases from health and education services.

Activity related to child protection also increased. Section 47 enquiries – triggered when a child is suspected to be at risk of significant harm – reached a record high of over 230,000, up 2.7% on 2024 and nearly 15% higher than in 2020. However, the number of initial child protection conferences (ICPCs) remained relatively stable at around 72,000, the lowest since 2015. Only 31% of Section 47 enquiries progressed to a conference, continuing a steady decline from nearly half in 2013.

Sector leaders have warned that the continued rise in demand, alongside falling protection plan rates, reflects both increased pressures on families and ongoing challenges in thresholds and early intervention.

Concerns about the mental health of the child's parent/carer and the child’s parent/carer being the victim of domestic abuse remained the most common factors in the year to 31 March 2025, with both factors being identified in around one third of episodes with assessment factors recorded.

Responding to the figures, Foundations – the national What Works Centre for Children and Families– said the figures “underline the urgent need to tackle the factors affecting children who come into contact with children’s services.”

“Poor parental mental health and exposure to domestic abuse are seen in over a third of assessments. These experiences cause lasting damage to children’s development and are the key drivers for children entering the care system.

“Our existing evidence shows that the right support can strengthen the parenting skills of those who experience serious mental health issues, and reduce the risk of serious harm to vulnerable children. Where we know what works, we need to act on it if we are to shift the dial on children’s outcomes. A national focus on support for parents, driven from the centre, will be key to realising the transformative potential of early intervention.”

“Children who witness domestic abuse are victims in their own right. Experiencing domestic abuse in childhood can triple the risk of being either a victim or a perpetrator in adulthood. It’s vital that we understand what works to support child victims and use this to guide decisions about support and funding. The forthcoming VAWG strategy must centre evaluation as a core principle, including the capacity needed to evaluate.”