Children in need
Reporting year 2023

Description

This guidance describes the data included in the underlying data files of the 2023 National Statistics release ‘ Children in Need (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need)’.

This data is released under the terms of the  Open Government Licence (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for  Open Data (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-government-transparency-and-accountability/2010-to-2015-government-policy-government-transparency-and-accountability#appendix-3-releasing-data-in-open-and-anonymised-formats).

The  methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/characteristics-of-children-in-need-methodology) page should be referenced alongside this data.

Coverage

This annual release contains statistics on children in need in England, including child protection plans, and referrals to and assessments completed by children’s social care services. Each reporting year covers the period 1 April to 31 March.

Data is collected by the Department for Education in the annual ‘ Children in need census (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/children-in-need-census)’ from all local authorities in England.

The underlying data files include national, regional and local authority level information for the years 2013 to 2023.

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

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

A1 National time series of children in need, referrals and assessments

Filename: a1_cin_assessments_episodes_referrals_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need, episodes of need, and referrals and assessments completed by children's social care services.

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:

1. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A2 National time series of section 47s, initial child protection conferences and child protection plans

Filename: a2_section47_icpc_cpp_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Section 47 enquiries, initial child protection conferences and child protection plans.

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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A3 National times series of children in need by gender, age and primary need

Filename: a3_cin_primary_need_by_age_gender_2018_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by gender, age and primary need.

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:

1. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A4 National time series of children in need by ethnicity and age and gender

Filename: a4_cin_by_ethnicity_and_age_gender_2018_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by gender, age and ethnicity.

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:

1. White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
2. Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
3. Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
4. Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
5. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A5 National time series of child protection plans by initial category of abuse and gender, age and ethnicity

Filename: a5_cpp_initial_category_of_abuse_by_gender_age_ethnicity_2018_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: 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 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:

1. '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.
2. White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
3. Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
4. Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
5. Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
6. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A6 National time series of child protection plans by initial category of abuse

Filename: a6_cpp_initial_category_of_abuse_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by initial category of abuse

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:

1. '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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


A7 National time series of children in need by gender, age and ethnicity

Filename: a7_cin_by_age_gender_ethnicity_2015_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2015 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by gender, age and ethnicity.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name        |  Variable description
-------------------  |  -------------------
characteristic_type  |  Characteristic type
number               |  Number
percent              |  Percentage

Footnotes:

1. White comprises white British, white Irish, traveller of Irish heritage, Gypsy/Roma and any other white background.
2. Mixed comprises white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian and any other mixed background.
3. Asian or Asian British comprises Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other Asian background.
4. Black or black British comprises Caribbean, African and any other black background.
5. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B1 Children in need and episodes of need by local authority

Filename: b1_children_in_need_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: 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 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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. A child can have more than one episode of need throughout the year, but episodes should not overlap.
3. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B2 Children in need at 31 March by recorded disability and local authority

Filename: b2_children_in_need_recorded_disability_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by disability.

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:

1. 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.
2. A child may have more than one disability recorded, therefore the disability category percentages may not sum to 100.
3. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B3 Children in need at 31 March by primary need and local authority

Filename: b3_cin_primary_need_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by primary need at assessment.

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:

1. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B4 Children in need by duration of episode and local authority

Filename: b4_children_in_need_duration_of_open_episode_2013_to_2023_v2.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need by duration of episode of need.

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:

1. The duration of episodes open at 31 March is calculated as the difference between 31 March of the reporting year and the referral date.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B5 Duration of episodes of need ending during year to 31 March by local authority

Filename: b5_children_in_need_duration_of_ended_episode_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Episodes of need ending during the year by duration of episode of need.

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:

1. The duration of episode of need ending in the year is calculated as the difference between the referral date and closure date.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B6 Episodes of need ending by reason for closure and local authority

Filename: b6_children_in_need_reason_for_closure_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Episodes of need ending during the year by reason for case closure.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


B7 Child in need plans by local authority

Filename: b7_child_in_need_plans_2022_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: Children in need plans starting and ending during the year, at any point during the year and at 31 March.

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


C1 Referrals and re-referrals to children's social care services by local authority

Filename: c1_children_in_need_referrals_and_rereferrals_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: 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 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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. If a child has more than one referral in a reporting year, then each referral is counted.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


C2 Completed assessments by duration of assessment and local authority

Filename: c2_children_in_need_assessments_duration_2014_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2014 to 2023
Content summary: Assessments completed by children's social care services by duration of assessment.

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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. The duration of an assessment is calculated as the time in working days between the assessment start date and the assessment end date.
3. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


C3 Factors identified at the end of assessment by local authority

Filename: c3_factors_identified_at_end_of_assessment_2018_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: Factors identified at the end of assessment.

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:

1. Figures exclude the category ‘no factors identified’.
2. An episode of need may have more than one factor recorded.
3. Information on child on child and adult on child physical and sexual abuse was collected and reported on for the third time in 2023. 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.
4. The ‘Domestic violence’ factor was renamed as ‘Domestic abuse’ in the 2022 release. This is a change to the description of the factor and is not a change to the information collected for this factor.
5. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


C4 Section 47s and Initial Child Protection Conferences by local authority

Filename: c4_children_in_need_section_47s_and_icpcs_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary:  Section 47 enquiries and initial child protection conferences.

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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. The duration between start of a section 47 enquiry and initial child protection conference is calculated as the time in working days between the start of section 47 and the date of the initial child protection conference. For cases transferred in from another local authority, the duration is calculated as time in working days between the referral date and the date of the initial child protection conference.
3. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


C5 Referrals to children's social care services by source of referral and local authority

Filename: c5_children_in_need_referrals_by_source_2014_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2014 to 2023
Content summary: Referrals to children's social care services by source of referral.

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:

1. If a child has more than one referral in a reporting year, then each referral is counted.
2. 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.
3. 'Health services' includes referral from GPs, health visitors, school nurses, other primary health services, A&E and other health services.
4. 'LA services' includes referrals from social care, other internal local authority services, external local authority services and early help.
5. 'Individual' includes referrals from family members, relatives, carers, acquaintances and self-referrals.
6. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


C6 Referrals to children's social care services by month and local authority

Filename: c6_children_in_need_referrals_by_month_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Referrals to children's social care services by month of the year.

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:

1. If a child has more than one referral in a reporting year, then each referral is counted.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D1 Child Protection Plans by local authority

Filename: d1_child_protection_plans_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Child protection plans starting and ending during the year, at any point during the year and at 31 March.

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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D2 Child Protection Plans starting in the year by category of abuse and local authority

Filename: d2_cpps_starting_by_category_of_abuse_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Child protection plans starting during the year by initial and latest category of abuse.

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:

1. '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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D3 Child Protection Plans starting during year which were a second or subsequent plan, by local authority

Filename: d3_cpps_subsequent_plan_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Child protection plans starting in the year and child protection plans which are a second or subsequent plan.

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:

1. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D4 Child Protection Plans at 31 March by category of abuse and local authority

Filename: d4_cpps_at31march_by_category_of_abuse_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by initial and latest category of abuse.

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:

1. '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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D5 Child Protection Plans at 31 March by duration and local authority

Filename: d5_cpps_at31march_by_duration_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Children who were the subject of a child protection plan at 31 March by duration of the plan.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D6 Child Protection Plans reviewed within timescales by local authority

Filename: d6_cpps_reviewed_within_timescales_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: 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 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:

1. 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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D7 Child Protection Plans ending during the year to 31 March by duration and local authority

Filename: d7_cpps_ending_by_duration_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Child protection plans ending during the year by duration of the plan.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


D8 Child protection plans ending during the first six months of the year by duration child remained in need and local authority

Filename: d8_cpps_ending_in_first_6months_by_duration_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Child protection plans ending during the first six months of the year by duration of the plan

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:

1. 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.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


Headline figures

Filename: headline_figures_2013_to_2023.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2013 to 2023
Content summary: Headline children in need figures.

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:

1. Rates per 10,000 children are calculated based on ONS mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 years.
2. 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 2021 and 2022 national totals, and regional totals for inner London and London. Refer to the methodology section for more information.


ONS mid-year population estimates

Filename: ons_mid-year_population_estimates_2012_to_2021.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2012 to 2021
Content summary: ONS population estimates for children aged 0 to 17 (age at mid-year).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name        |  Variable description
-------------------  |  ------------------------------
age_group            |  Age group
population_estimate  |  Population estimate (mid-year)
