My research with Matt Jay @ UCL estimates that 1 in every 4 children receive social services intervention before the age of 18 https://ijpds.org/article/download/2454/6147
Here’s the Observer article about it. Listen below to the start of a discussion from LBC’s Matt Wright show on 02-02-2025
The findings show:
1 in 3 referred (35.4%)
1 in 3 assessed (32.3%)
1 in 4 in need (25.3%)
1 in 14 on a child protection plan (7.1%)
Because a high proportion of children in need are suspected of abuse or neglect, we can estimate that 1 in 6 will come under suspicion. Also, children in the most deprived 10th are 10 times more likely to be in care or on a child protection plan. So it’s likely this research means in these poor areas:
4 out of 5 referred
3 in 5 in need
2 in 5 suspected of abuse
1 in 6 on child protection plan