More than 10,000 cases of child criminal exploitation and a dramatic rise in referrals from schools have contributed to rising levels of children in need.
Official figures for the 2021/22 financial year show that there were 404,310 children in need, an increase of 4.1% on 2020/21. This includes 50,920 children on protection plans, an increase of 1.8% (DfE, 2022).
As part of these figures, for the first time councils have been required to record the number of cases in which child criminal exploitation was identified as a factor. This includes cases of criminals grooming and exploiting children into county lines drug-dealing, or to commit other crimes like shoplifting, car theft or serious violence.
The latest figures show that child criminal exploitation was identified as a factor in 10,140 cases.
Children in need are a legally defined group assessed as needing help and protection as a result of risks to their development or health. It includes those on child in need plans, child protection plans, looked after by local authorities, care-leavers and disabled children.
