New figures show that serious child-related incidents reported by
councils have risen by more than a quarter during the pandemic,
the Local Government Association reveals today.
The total number of serious incident notifications in England
during the first half (April to September) of the reporting year
2020/21 increased by 27 per cent, from 224 to 285, on the same
period last year, government figures show. This follows a
decrease of 18 per cent between 2018/19 and 2019/20.
The largest increases were seen in young children – incidents
involving those aged under one increased by 31 per cent, from 78
to 102, while incidents involving those aged one to five soared
by 50 per cent, from 32 to 48. Incidents involving those aged
over 16, have also risen - by almost a third, from 45 to 59.
The number of notices relating to child deaths increased by 34
per cent, from 89 to 119.
The majority (two-thirds) of incidents occurred while living at
home, however, there have been increases in incidents occurring
while living at the homes of relatives, in residential children’s
homes and while in short-term foster care.
The LGA, which represents councils, is extremely concerned about
children’s safety amid extra pressures on families during the
pandemic, with acts of abuse more likely to go unseen “behind
closed doors” during lockdown.
As the impact of the pandemic becomes clear, councils expect to
see a significant rise in referrals to children’s social care and
demand for wider children’s support services.
The LGA says councils need to be able to provide preventative and
early-help services to help avoid situations escalating into acts
of abuse and harm on children and young people. It has called for
the £1.7 billion removed from the Early Intervention Grant since
2010 to be reinstated.
The LGA says the Government’s recently launched independent
review of children’s social care is a vital opportunity to help
ensure that the right homes for all children in care are in
place, and that sufficient resources are available to give all
families and children the support they need and deserve.
Cllr , Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board,
said:
“Any case of a baby or child being harmed is extremely
distressing and an enormous cause for concern for councils, so
this rise in serious incident notifications is particularly
harrowing.
“The pandemic has led to an increasing number of families facing
exceptionally difficult circumstances, which can fuel harmful
acts of abuse or neglect on children. Councils have been working
hard with their partners to respond to changing and emerging
threats to children and young people, including criminal
exploitation, through online and virtual contact and resources,
as well as high priority home visits.
“They will continue to do all they can to keep all children safe,
and to support families with challenges exacerbated by the
pandemic, from mental health issues and poverty, to alcohol and
substance misuse.”
Notes to editors
-
Serious
incident notifications.
- The Early Intervention Grant has been reduced by the
Government from £2.8 billion in 2010/11 to £1.1 billion in
2018/19, as outlined in LGA publication, ‘A
child-centred recovery’.
