Department for Education statistics have shown a year-on-year rise in the number of child protection cases, with the number of children subject to section 47 enquiries starting in 2015/16 increasing by 7.6% from the previous year. However, despite the rising demand, the proportion of child protection plans reviewed within the required timescales only slipped slightly from 94% to 93.7%. The most common primary need at the start of assessment was abuse or neglect, followed by family dysfunction. Domestic violence was the most common factor identified at the end of an assessment for children in need, followed by mental health.
Child protection enquiries rise again
