Child abuse investigations have increased by 77% in the last ten years.
Councils are seeking additional funding to address the rising number of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, driven by parents’ mental health and addiction issues.
An unprecedented number of investigations into suspected child abuse cases has led councils to request emergency funding from the government in the upcoming Budget.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to step in to protect services aimed at safeguarding children following a 77 percent surge in investigations into suspected child abuse cases since 2013.
This translates to 618 cases per day—66 more per day than in 2019—resulting in an 11 percent increase in the cost of investigating these cases in the past year, as reported by the LGA.
The analysis revealed that due to inflation, wage pressures, and surging demand, local authorities in England are facing a funding shortfall of £2.3 billion in 2025–26, escalating to £3.9 billion in 2026–27, totaling a deficit of £6.2 billion over the two years.
Parental Mental Health
Suspected cases of child abuse largely involve neglect and emotional abuse, with a significant contributor to the rise in investigations being parents grappling with mental health issues or being in abusive relationships.
The 2023 data showed 161,140 cases where parental or caregiver mental health was a factor and 160,140 cases where domestic abuse was a concern.
Related Stories
There were 71,580 cases where parental alcohol misuse was a factor, 67,000 cases involving adult drug misuse, and 82,260 cases linked to neglect.
Suspected cases of sexual abuse by adults in 2023 numbered 18,810, with child-on-child sexual abuse cases reaching 13,100, and child sexual exploitation cases at 15,020.
Other contributing factors included gang exploitation, parent learning or physical disabilities, children caring for others or displaying self-harm signs, and the physical or mental well-being of the child.
The majority of cases involved multiple concerns for the child’s safety.
The expenses of children’s social care have escalated in recent years, alongside rising expenses for elderly care, posing further challenges for councils.
The LGA highlighted that the increase in investigations was also influenced by educational institutions making more referrals to children’s social services, up by 8 percent over five years, although this trend fluctuated during the lockdown and restriction period of 2020 to 2021, then rose again.
‘Disturbingly High Figures’
Arooj Shah, Chairwoman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, expressed, “It is incredibly saddening when any child faces suffering, and it is imperative that councils take action when there are concerns.
“However, these alarmingly high numbers depict the immense pressures on councils to intervene and provide essential care and support.
“As a society, we must collectively ensure every child is shielded from harm.
“This is why we are urging the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget to inject emergency funds into children’s social care to enable councils to continue offering this crucial lifeline of support to vulnerable children.”
The count of children with child protection plans in 2023 was 50,780, equating to 42 per 10,000 under-18s.
The regional rate of section 47 investigations was highest in the northeast with 234 cases per 10,000 children, followed by the southeast with a rate of 187, and Yorkshire and the Humber with 180.
The lowest rates were recorded in the east of England (91), the southwest (150), and the East Midlands (149).
Abigail Gill, Associate Head of Policy at the NSPCC, remarked, “More children are in need of urgent support from children’s services while spending on early intervention to assist families before reaching a crisis point has been declining for years.
“Boosting expenditure on children’s services in the Budget would serve as a lifeline to a struggling system and the children and families nationwide who depend on it.
“Additional funding should prioritize early support and family assistance, coupled with a government commitment for the necessary widespread reform of the child protection system.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Education stated, “Any instance of child cruelty, abuse, or neglect is appalling.
“We recognize that councils require support, which is why we are dedicated to improving relationships with partners, including local government, and collaborating to provide every child with the best start in life.
“We are also taking steps to combat abuse by investing £45 million in new multi-agency child protection teams as part of a pilot program that brings together local authorities, police, health, and education to ensure swift action when children require protection.”
PA Media contributed to this article.
