The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published the latest report in its safeguarding pressures series looking at changes in demand for, and the provision of, children’s social care services in England.  The research covers the period from April 2022 to March 2024 and examines data and surveys from local authorities in England and interviews with children’s services leaders.  The report identifies changes in safeguarding activity related to the impact of Covid-19, housing concerns and poverty.
The research also highlights that poor parental mental health overtook domestic abuse as the most common factor in children’s social care assessments during this period and three quarters of survey respondents reported an increase in safeguarding demand over the last two years due to children’s mental health.