Ellie Ames 03 February 2025

Quarter of children need social care by 18, study finds

Quarter of children need social care by 18, study finds image
Image: Alena Lom / Shutterstock.com

One in four children in England require social care services by the time they turn 18, a new study has revealed.

Research by University College London found that 25.3% of children were recorded as a Child in Need at some point before they turned 18, meaning families needed support like home adaptations for disability, help to improve parenting capacity, or respite care.

Researchers also found that 6.9% of children were subject to a Child Protection Plan (CPP) before they turned 18, meaning they were at risk of or experiencing abuse or neglect.

The findings are substantially higher than annual government figures, which show that about 3% of children are recorded as a Child in Need on any given day, and 0.4% subject to a CPP.

Researchers said their findings supported a shift towards early intervention and raised questions ‘about the extent to which government policies on employment, benefits, housing, healthcare, education, social care and justice support or challenge nurturing and upbringing of children’.

They added: ‘Needs might be more effectively addressed by targeting the socio-economic and structural factors beyond individual or family circumstances that lead a large minority of children to become in contact with children’s social care services.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Technician - Maintenance

Essex County Council
£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs Co-Ordinator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Be the heart of our community - help us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we believe th England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Museums Operations Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP26 - 31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
Sandwell Museums is looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Regulation and Compliance Assistant - WMF2056e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586 pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Licensing Team within Westmorland and Furness Council Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Community Finance Officer - WMF2059e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£33,366 - £34,314
You will be working in a busy operational finance service Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner