Children's social work statistics 2017-2018

What are the trends in other children's social work data?

Between 2008 and 2018 the number of children and young people referred to the Children's Reporter decreased by 70%^[2] (Chart 7), while the number of children looked after or on the child protection register has remained broadly stable over this period. The decrease is the result of falls in both the number of offence and non-offence referrals. Offence referrals now account for 19% of all referrals, down from 27% in 2007/08.

Chart 7: Children Referred to the Children's Reporter and numbers looked after/on child protection register, 2004-2018

The fall in referrals to the Reporter is likely to be due to pre-referral screening across many areas of the country. This has led to a reduction in referrals received by the Reporter where compulsory measures are not deemed necessary; and a proportionate increase in referrals where they are deemed necessary.

The historic increase in the number of children who are looked after or on the child protection register at a time when referrals are falling, means that the smaller number of referrals being received by the Reporter are potentially of a more complex nature and are more likely to result in being looked after or on the child protection register than in previous years. The continuing decline in numbers of children who are both looked after and on the child protection register seen since 2012 could be linked to the fall in referrals feeding through to the later stages of the social work system - however, the rate of decline has slowed, so this effect may not be particularly pronounced.