ADCS report highlights safeguarding pressures before and during pandemic
The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has published the full report of its latest iteration of Safeguarding Pressures research. For over a decade ADCS has collected both qualitative and quantitative data from local authorities to evidence and better understand changes in demand for, and provision of, children's social care and associated services. This report outlines pressures faced by local authorities during 2019/20 while also including a focus on activity in the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report draws together survey responses from 129 of all local authorities in England, covering 89 per cent of England's children and young people population. These, together with existing data, provide an insight into the safeguarding related pressures facing children's services across the country.
As of 31 March 2020:
- There were an estimated 2.5 million initial contacts received by local authorities in 2019/20, an increase of 5 per cent in the last two years.
- There were 642,980 referrals to children's social care in 2019/20, an increase of 19 per cent since 2008.
- The number of children subjects of child protection plans has increased by 76 per cent since 2008.
- Adults experiencing domestic abuse, mental health difficulties or substance misuse, are the most common reasons why children come to the attention of early help and/or children's social care services.
- The number of Section 47 Enquiries continues to rise, up 162 per cent since 2008.
- £824 million is required just for children's services to 'stay still'.
- Nearly half of the respondents to the survey reported a reduction in funding ranging between 15 per cent and 30 per cent.
- Funding for the Troubled Families Programme continues to prop up the delivery of early help services in children's services.
The report also captured some of the impact of the pandemic on children's services. In the six months up to 30 September 2020:
- It is estimated that 81,900 children were in care, an increase of 34 per cent in 12 years and up 6 per cent since 2018/19.
- There were an estimated 284,400 referrals to children's social care.
- There was a 4 per cent increase in children who were subjects of child protection plans at 30 September 2020 compared to the same period last year.
For the Safeguarding Pressures Phase 7 report, click here. For the executive summary, click here.
26/2/21