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<p>The Department for Education considers that robust statistical comparisons using
the Children in Need Census data can only be made between 2010-11 and 2016-17 due
to different sources of data collection. Data preceding 2010 is drawn from the Child
Protection and Referrals 3 (CPR3) statistical return.</p><p> </p><p>The number of
children subject of a child protection plan (CPP) has been rising over the recent
years, a pattern that has continued through the collection of data from both sources.
However, whilst it is likely there was an increase between 2008-09 and 2009-10, due
to the differences in the data sources, it is not possible to confirm if the increase
was solely down to an increase in the number of children subject to a CPP, or partially
explained by the change in data source.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2010 there has been a
consistent increase in the number of section 47 enquiries, from 89,300 to 185,450.
These are the enquiries initiated to decide whether and what type of action is required
to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child who is suspected of, or likely to
be, suffering significant harm.</p><p> </p><p>There has also been an increase in the
number of initial stage child protection conferences since 2010, from 43,900 to 76,930.
These are the meetings which bring together family members (and the child, where appropriate),
with advocates and professionals, to make decisions about the child’s safety, health
and development. Over the same period, the number of children who are then subject
to a CPP has also increased, but at a lower rate, from 39,100 to 51,080.</p><p> </p><p>In
recording the reason a child becomes subject to a CPP, since 2010, there has been
an increase in the proportion of plans recorded under the initial categories of neglect
and emotional abuse. Conversely, the proportion of plans under the categories of physical
abuse and multiple forms of abuse have fallen.</p><p> </p><p>Wherever local councils
have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant
harm, they are under a duty to investigate. It is right that where local councils
have concerns about a child, they undertake an assessment to determine what action
is appropriate to take. As well as indicating some change in the categories of abuse
under which social workers are recording CPPs, these trends indicate that local councils
are undertaking more investigative action now than in 2010 – with an increasing number
of children then going onto CPPs.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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