The methodology page should be referenced alongside this data.
Coverage
This annual release contains statistics on children in need in England and referrals to and assessments completed by children’s social care services. Each reporting year covers the year ending 31 March.
The underlying data files include national, regional and local authority level information for the years 2013 to 2024.
File formats and conventions
Confidentiality
The following symbols are used in the underlying data files as follows:
c to protect confidentiality - secondary suppression may also be applied to figures to protect confidentiality
z data not applicable
x data not available
u low reliability
k value rounds to zero but is not zero, for example where a percentage is less than 0.05%
Where any number is shown as zero, the original figure submitted was zero.
Rounding
England and regional totals are rounded to the nearest 10, therefore totals may not equal the sum of their component parts.
Percentages are rounded to one decimal place, therefore component parts may not sum to 100.
Rates per 10,000 children aged 0 to 17 years are rounded to one decimal place.
Data files
All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.
A1 National time series of children in need, referrals and assessments
Children in need, episodes of need, and referrals and assessments completed by children's social care services.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
category_type
Category type
number
Number
percent
Percentage
rate
Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
category_type
Category type
number
Number
percent
Percentage
rate
Rate per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
characteristic
Characteristic
CIN_At31
Children in Need at 31st March
N0_Not_stated
N0 - Not stated
N1_Abuse_or_neglect
N1 - Abuse or neglect
N2_Childs_disability_or_illness
N2 - Child's disability or illness
N3_Parents_disability_or_illness
N3 - Parent's disability or illness
N4_Family_in_acute_stress
N4 - Family in acute stress
N5_Family_dysfunction
N5 - Family dysfunction
N6_Socially_unacceptable_behaviour
N6 - Socially unacceptable behaviour
N7_Low_income
N7 - Low income
N8_Absent_parenting
N8 - Absent parenting
N9_Cases_other_than_CIN
N9 - Cases other than children In need
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Asian_or_Asian_British
Asian or Asian British
Black_or_Black_British
Black or Black British
characteristic
Characteristic
CIN_At31
Children in Need at 31st March
Known
Known ethnicity
Mixed
Mixed
Other_group
Other ethnic group
White
White
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by initial category of abuse by gender, age and ethnicity.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
characteristic
Characteristic
characteristic_type
Characteristic type
CPP_At31
Child Protection Plans at 31st March
Emotional_Abuse_Initial
Emotional Abuse
Multiple_Initial
Multiple
Neglect_Initial
Neglect
Physical_Abuse_Initial
Physical Abuse
Sexual_Abuse_Initial
Sexual Abuse
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
'Multiple' refers to instances where there is more than one main category of abuse. Children included in this category are not included in any other category of abuse, therefore a child is counted only once in this measure.
White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
A6 National time series of child protection plans by initial category of abuse
Filename
a6_cpp_initial_category_of_abuse_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by initial category of abuse.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_At31
Child Protection Plans at 31st March
Emotional_abuse_Initial
Emotional Abuse
Multiple_Initial
Multiple
Neglect_Initial
Neglect
Physical_abuse_Initial
Physical Abuse
Sexual_abuse_Initial
Sexual Abuse
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
'Multiple' refers to instances where there is more than one main category of abuse. Children included in this category are not included in any other category of abuse, therefore a child is counted only once in this measure.
A7 National time series of children in need by gender, age and ethnicity
Filename
a7_cin_by_age_gender_ethnicity_2015_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2015 to 2024
Content
Children in need by gender, age and ethnicity.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
characteristic_type
Characteristic type
number
Number
percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
B1 Children in need and episodes of need by local authority
Filename
b1_children_in_need_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Children in need episodes at any point during the year, episodes starting and ending in the year and children in need at 31 March.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Anypoint_child
Children with an episode of need at any point during the year
Anypoint_child_rate
Rate of children with an episode of need at any point during the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Anypoint_episodes
Episodes of need at any point during the year
Anypoint_episodes_rate
Rate of episodes of need at any point during the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
At31_episodes
Children in need at 31 March
At31_episodes_rate
Rate of children in need at 31 March per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Awaiting_assessment
Children in need at 31 March who are awaiting assessment or do not require an assessment
Awaiting_assessment_rate
Rate of children in need at 31 March who are awaiting assessment or do not require assessment per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Ended_child
Children ending an episode of need in the year
Ended_child_rate
Rate of children ending an episode of need in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Ended_episodes
Episodes of need ending in the year
Ended_episodes_rate
Rate of episodes ending in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Started_child
Children starting an episode of need in the year
Started_child_rate
Rate of children starting an episode of need in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Started_episodes
Episodes of need starting in the year
Started_episodes_rate
Rate of episodes of need starting in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
At31_episodes
Number of children in need at 31 March
At31_episodes_disability_recorded
Number of children in need at 31 March with a disability recorded
At31_episodes_disability_recorded_percent
Percentage of children in need at 31 March with a disability recorded
Autism_percent
Autism/Asperger Syndrome
Behaviour_percent
Behaviour
Communication_percent
Communication
Consciousness_percent
Consciousness
Hand_Function_percent
Hand Function
Hearing_percent
Hearing
Incontinence_percent
Incontinence
Learning_Difficulties_percent
Learning
Mobility_percent
Mobility
Other_percent
Other Disability
Personal_care_percent
Personal Care
Vision_percent
Vision
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The Disability Discrimination Act defines a disabled person as a person with a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. The condition must have lasted or be likely to last at least 12 months to be classed as a disability.
A child may have more than one disability recorded, therefore the disability category percentages may not sum to 100.
B3 Children in need at 31 March by primary need and local authority
Filename
b3_cin_primary_need_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Children in need by primary need at assessment.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
At31_episodes
Number of children in need at 31 March
N0_Not_stated
N0 - Not stated
N1_Abuse_or_neglect
N1 - Abuse or neglect
N2_Childs_disability_or_illness
N2 - Child's disability or illness
N3_Parents_disability_or_illness
N3 - Parent's disability or illness
N4_Family_in_acute_stress
N4 - Family in acute stress
N5_Family_dysfunction
N5 - Family dysfunction
N6_Socially_unacceptable_behaviour
N6 - Socially unacceptable behaviour
N7_Low_income
N7 - Low income
N8_Absent_parenting
N8 - Absent parenting
N9_Cases_other_than_CIN
N9 - Cases other than children in need
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
1_year_less_than_2_years
1 year but less than 2 years - number
1_year_less_than_2_years_percent
1 year but less than 2 years - percentage
2years+
2 years and over - number
2years+_percent
2 years and over - percentage
3_months_or_less
3 months or less - number
3_months_or_less_percent
3 months or less - percentage
At31_episodes
Number of children in need at 31 March
more_than_3_months_6_months
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months - number
more_than_3_months_6_months_percent
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months - percentage
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year
More than 6 months but less than 1 year - number
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year_percent
More than 6 months but less than 1 year - percentage
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of episodes open at 31 March is calculated as the difference between 31 March of the reporting year and the referral date.
Episodes of need ending during the year by duration of episode of need.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
1_year_less_than_2_years
1 year but less than 2 years - number
1_year_less_than_2_years_percent
1 year but less than 2 years - percentage
2years+
2 years and over - number
2years+_percent
2 years and over - percentage
3_months_or_less
3 months or less - number
3_months_or_less_percent
3 months or less - percentage
Ended_episodes
Number of episodes ending during the year to 31 March
more_than_3_months_6_months
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months - number
more_than_3_months_6_months_percent
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months - percentage
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year
More than 6 months but less than 1 year - number
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year_percent
More than 6 months but less than 1 year - percentage
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of episode of need ending in the year is calculated as the difference between the referral date and closure date.
Episodes of need ending during the year by reason for case closure.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Ended_episodes
Number of episodes of need ending in the year
RC1_Adopted
RC1 - Adopted - Number
RC1_Adopted_percent
RC1 - Adopted - Percentage
RC2_Died
RC2 - Died - Number
RC2_Died_percent
RC2 - Died -Percentage
RC3_Residence_Order
RC3 - Residence Order - Number
RC3_Residence_Order_percent
RC3 - Residence Order - Percentage
RC4_Special_Guardianship_Order
RC4 - Special Guardianship Order - Number
RC4_Special_Guardianship_Order_percent
RC4 - Special Guardianship Order - Percentage
RC5_Transfer_to_another_LA
RC5 - Transfer to another LA - Number
RC5_Transfer_to_another_LA_percent
RC5 - Transfer to another LA - Percentage
RC6_Transfer_to_Adult_Social_Service
RC6 - Transfer to Adult Social Services - Number
RC6_Transfer_to_Adult_Social_Service_percent
RC6 - Transfer to Adult Social Services - Percentage
RC7_Other
RC7 - 'Other' incl. Child no longer in need - Number
RC7_Other_percent
RC7 - 'Other' incl. Child no longer in need - Percentage
unknown
Unknown - Number
unknown_percent
Unknown - Percentage
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Unknown includes episodes ending during the year where reason for closure was not known and episodes closed after an assessment where no further action was taken.
Children in need plans starting and ending during the year, at any point during the year and at 31 March.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CINPlan_anypoint
Number of children in need plans at any point in the year
CINPlan_anypoint_rate
Rate of children in need plans taking place at any point in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_At31
Number of children in need plans at 31 March
CINPlan_At31_rate
Rate of children in need plans at 31 March per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_child_anypoint
Number of children on children in need plans at any point in the year
CINPlan_child_anypoint_rate
Rate of children on children in need plans at any point in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_child_end
Number of children ending children in need plans in the year
CINPlan_child_end_rate
Rate of children ending children in need plans in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_child_start
Number of children starting children in need plans in the year
CINPlan_child_start_rate
Rate of children starting children in need plans in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_end
Number of children in need plans ending in the year
CINPlan_end_rate
Rate of children in need plans ending in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CINPlan_start
Number of children in need plans starting in the year
CINPlan_start_rate
Rate of children in need plans starting in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Referrals to children's social care services, referrals within 12 months of a previous referral, referrals which resulted in no further action and referrals which were assessed and resulted in no further action.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
No_Further_Action
Referrals which resulted in no further action
No_Further_Action_percent
Referrals which resulted in no further action (%)
Not_in_Need
Referrals which resulted in an assessment and the child was assessed not to be in need
Not_in_Need_percent
Referrals which resulted in an assessment and the child was assessed not to be in need (%)
Re_referrals
Re-referrals within 12 months of a previous referral
Re_referrals_child
Number of children with a referral within 12 months of a previous referral
Re_referrals_child_percent
Number of children with a referral within 12 months of a previous referral (%)
Re_referrals_percent
Re-referrals within 12 months of a previous referral (%)
Referrals
Referrals in the year
Referrals_child
Number of children with a referral in the year
Referrals_child_rate
Rate of children referred per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Referrals_rate
Rate of referrals in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
There is significant variation between local authorities in the number of referrals which resulted in no further action without an assessment taking place. This is likely to be explained by differences in local practice.
There is significant variation between local authorities in the number of referrals which resulted in the child being assessed as not in need. This is likely to be explained by differences in local practice.
Assessments completed by children's social care services by duration of assessment.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
1-10_days
1 to 10 days
11-20_days
11 to 20 days
21-30_days
21 to 30 days
25th_Percentile_days
25th percentile (days)
31-40_days
31 to 40 days
41-45_days
41 to 45 days
46-50_days
46 to 50 days
51-60_days
51 to 60 days
61+_days
61 days and over
75th_Percentile_days
75th percentile (days)
Assessments_completed
Number of assessments in the year
Assessments_completed_rate
Rate per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Median_days
Median (days)
Same_day
Started and finished the same day
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of an assessment is calculated as the time in working days between the assessment start date and the assessment end date.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Alcohol_Misuse_child
Alcohol misuse: concerns about child
Alcohol_Misuse_parent
Alcohol misuse: concerns about parent
Alcohol_Misuse_person
Alcohol misuse: concerns about other person
Child_criminal_exploitation
Child criminal exploitation
Child_sexual_exploitation
Child sexual exploitation
Domestic_Abuse_child
Domestic abuse: concerns child is victim
Domestic_Abuse_parent
Domestic abuse: concerns parent is victim
Domestic_Abuse_person
Domestic abuse: concerns other person is victim
Drug_Misuse_child
Drug misuse: concerns about child
Drug_Misuse_parent
Drug misuse: concerns about parent
Drug_Misuse_person
Drug misuse: concerns about other person
Emotional_Abuse
Emotional abuse
Episodes_with_assessment_factor
Number of episodes with assessment factor information
Faith_linked_abuse
Abuse linked to faith or belief
Female_Genital_Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation
Gangs
Gangs
Going_missing
Going/being missing
Learning_Disability_child
Learning disability: concerns about child
Learning_Disability_parent
Learning disability: concerns about parent
Learning_Disability_person
Learning disability: concerns about other person
Mental_Health_child
Mental health: concerns about child
Mental_Health_parent
Mental health: concerns about parent
Mental_Health_person
Mental health: concerns about other person
Neglect
Neglect
Other
Other factors
Physical_Abuse_adult_on_child
Physical abuse: adult on child
Physical_Abuse_child_on_child
Physical abuse: child on child
Physical_Abuse_unknown
Physical abuse
Physical_Disability_child
Physical disability or illness: concerns about child
Physical_Disability_parent
Physical disability or illness: concerns about parent
Physical_Disability_person
Physical disability or illness: concerns about other person
Privately_fostered
Privately fostered
Self_harm
Self-harm
Sexual_Abuse_adult_on_child
Sexual abuse: adult on child
Sexual_Abuse_child_on_child
Sexual abuse: child on child
Sexual_Abuse_unknown
Sexual abuse
Socially_unacceptable_behaviour
Socially unacceptable behaviour
Trafficking
Trafficking
Unaccompanied_asylum_seeker
Unaccompanied asylum seeker
Young_Carer
Young carer
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Figures exclude the category ‘no factors identified’.
Information on child on child and adult on child physical and sexual abuse was collected and reported on for the fourth time in 2024. Previously physical abuse and sexual abuse was collected and reported on (irrespective of whether it was child on child or adult on child) and some local authorities have provided information on the old basis only, or a mixture of the old and new basis, since 2021. The old physical and sexual abuse categories have therefore been included to provide a more complete account of this category of assessment.
Section 47 enquiries and initial child protection conferences.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Duration_0-10_days
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (0-10 working days)
Duration_11-15_days
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (11-15 working days)
Duration_16-20_days
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (16-20 working days)
Duration_21+_days
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (21+ working days)
Duration_25th_Percentile
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (25th percentile working days)
Duration_75th_Percentile
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (75th percentile working days)
Duration_median
Duration between start of Section 47 enquiry and ICPC (Median working days)
ICPC
Number of ICPCs
ICPC_child
Number of children undergoing an ICPC
ICPC_child_rate
Rate of children undergoing an ICPC per 10000 children aged under 18 years
ICPC_rate
Rate of ICPCs per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Section47
Number of Section 47s
Section47_child
Number of children undergoing a Section 47
Section47_child_rate
Rate of children undergoing a Section 47 per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Section47_rate
Rate of Section 47s per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration between the start of a section 47 enquiry and the initial child protection conference is calculated as the time in working days between the start of the section 47 and the date of the initial child protection conference. For cases transferred in from another local authority, the duration is calculated as the time in working days between the referral date and the date of the initial child protection conference.
Referrals to children's social care services by source of referral.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
Anonymous
Anonymous
Education_Services
Education services
Health_Services
Health services
Housing
Housing
Individual
Individual
LA_Services
LA services
Other
Other
Other_legal_agency
Other legal agency
Police
Police
Referrals
Number of referrals
Schools
Schools
Unknown
Unknown
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The source of referral is recorded for each new referral. Where there is more than one referral for the same child on the same day, the first referral should be recorded.
'Health services' includes referrals from GPs, health visitors, school nurses, other primary health services, A&E and other health services.
'LA services' includes referrals from social care, other internal local authority services, external local authority services and early help.
'Individual' includes referrals from family members, relatives, carers, acquaintances and self-referrals.
Referrals to children's social care services by month of the year.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
April
April
August
August
December
December
February
February
January
January
July
July
June
June
March
March
May
May
November
November
October
October
Referrals
Total number of referrals in the year
September
September
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Child protection plans starting and ending during the year, at any point during the year and at 31 March.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_anypoint
Number of child protection plans at any point in the year
CPP_anypoint_rate
Rate of child protection plans taking place at any point in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_At31
Number of child protection plans at 31 March
CPP_At31_rate
Rate of child protection plans at 31 March per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_child_anypoint
Number of children on child protection plans at any point in the year
CPP_child_anypoint_rate
Rate of children on child protection plans at any point in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_child_end
Number of children ending child protection plans in the year
CPP_child_end_rate
Rate of children ending child protection plans in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_child_start
Number of children starting child protection plans in the year
CPP_child_start_rate
Rate of children starting child protection plans in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_end
Number of child protection plans ending in the year
CPP_end_rate
Rate of child protection plans ending in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
CPP_start
Number of child protection plans starting in the year
CPP_start_rate
Rate of child protection plans starting in the year per 10000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Child protection plans starting during the year by initial and latest category of abuse.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_start
Number of child protection plans starting during the year
Emotional_Initial
Initial: Emotional abuse
Emotional_Latest
Latest: Emotional abuse
Multiple_Initial
Initial: Multiple
Multiple_Latest
Latest: Multiple
Neglect_Initial
Initial: Neglect
Neglect_Latest
Latest: Neglect
Physical_Initial
Initial: Physical abuse
Physical_Latest
Latest: Physical abuse
Sexual_Initial
Initial: Sexual abuse
Sexual_Latest
Latest: Sexual abuse
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
'Multiple' refers to instances where there is more than one main category of abuse. Children included in this category are not included in any other category of abuse, therefore a child is counted only once in this measure.
D3 Child Protection Plans starting during year which were a second or subsequent plan, by local authority
Filename
d3_cpps_subsequent_plan_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Child protection plans starting in the year and child protection plans which are a second or subsequent plan.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_start
Number of child protection plans starting during the year
CPP_subsequent
Number of child protection plans which were a second or subsequent plan
CPP_subsequent_percent
Percentage of child protection plans which were a second or subsequent plan (%)
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by initial and latest category of abuse.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_At31
Number of children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March
Emotional_Initial
Initial: Emotional abuse
Emotional_Latest
Latest: Emotional abuse
Multiple_Initial
Initial: Multiple
Multiple_Latest
Latest: Multiple
Neglect_Initial
Initial: Neglect
Neglect_Latest
Latest: Neglect
Physical_Initial
Initial: Physical abuse
Physical_Latest
Latest: Physical abuse
Sexual_Initial
Initial: Sexual abuse
Sexual_Latest
Latest: Sexual abuse
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
'Multiple' refers to instances where there is more than one main category of abuse. Children included in this category are not included in any other category of abuse, therefore a child is counted only once in this measure.
D5 Child Protection Plans at 31 March by duration and local authority
Filename
d5_cpps_at31march_by_duration_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by duration of the plan.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
1_year_less_than_2_years
1 year but less than 2 years
1_year_less_than_2_years_percent
1 year but less than 2 years (%)
2_years_or_more
2 years and over
2_years_or_more_percent
2 years and over (%)
3_months_or_less
3 months or less
3_months_or_less_percent
3 months or less (%)
CPP_At31
Number of children who were the subject of a plan at 31 March
more_than_3_months_6_months
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months
more_than_3_months_6_months_percent
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months (%)
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year
More than 6 months but less than 1 year
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year_percent
More than 6 months but less than 1 year (%)
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of a child protection plan at 31 March is calculated as the time between the child protection plan start date and 31 March of the reporting year.
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March that had been on a plan for at least three months and had reviews carried out within the required timescales.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
CPP_At31_3Months
Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March and who had been the subject of a plan for 3 or more months
Reviewed_within_timescales
Number reviewed within the required timescales
Reviewed_within_timescales_percent
Percentage reviewed within the required timescales (%)
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
Statutory guidance states that a child should have a review of their child protection plan within the first three months of being the subject of the plan, and then subsequently at intervals of not more than six months.
D7 Child Protection Plans ending during the year to 31 March by duration and local authority
Filename
d7_cpps_ending_by_duration_2013_to_2024.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013 to 2024
Content
Child protection plans ending during the year by duration of the plan.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
1_year_less_than_2_years
1 year but less than 2 years
1_year_less_than_2_years_percent
1 year but less than 2 years (%)
2_years_or_more
2 years and over
2_years_or_more_percent
2 years and over (%)
3_months_or_less
3 months or less
3_months_or_less_percent
3 months or less (%)
CPP_End
Number of child protection plans that ended during the year
more_than_3_months_6_months
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months
more_than_3_months_6_months_percent
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months (%)
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year
More than 6 months but less than 1 year
more_than_6_months_less_than_1_year_percent
More than 6 months but less than 1 year (%)
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of a child protection plan which ended during the year to 31 March is calculated as the time between the child protection plan start date and end date.
Child protection plans ending during the first six months of the year by duration of the plan.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
3_months_or_less
Less than or equal to 3 months
3_months_or_less_percent
Less than or equal to 3 months (%)
3_months_or_less_transfer
Transferred to another local authority
3_months_or_less_transfer_percent
Transferred to another local authority (%)
CPP_End_first_6months
Number of child protection plans that ended during the first 6 months of the collection year
more_than_3_months_6_months
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months
more_than_3_months_6_months_percent
More than 3 months but less than or equal to 6 months (%)
more_than_6_months
More than 6 months
more_than_6_months_percent
More than 6 months (%)
Footnotes
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
The duration of a child protection plan which ended during the first 6 months of the year ending 31 March is calculated as the time between the child protection plan start date and end date.
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
child_protection_plans
Child protection plans (as at 31 March)
child_protection_plans_per_10000_children
Child protection plans per 10,000 children (as at 31 March)
children_in_need
Children in need (as at 31 March)
children_in_need_per_10000_children
Children in need per 10,000 children (as at 31 March)
completed_assessments
Completed assessments (year to 31 March)
referrals
Referrals (year to 31 March)
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.
ONS population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 (age at mid-year).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
age_group
Age group
population_estimate
Population estimate (mid-year)
Footnotes
Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years. Revised/new population estimates for 2012 to 2022, based on 2021 Census data, were used to calculate revised rates for 2013 to 2023 in this publication.
Data for the years ending 31 March 2021 and 2022 is not available for Hackney local authority, therefore 2020 data for Hackney has been included in the 2021 and 2022 national totals and regional totals. Data for the year ending 31 March 2024 is not available for Hampshire local authority, therefore 2023 data for Hampshire has been included in the 2024 national and regional totals. Refer to the methodology page for more information.