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Children's social care referrals fall by a quarter amid third lockdown

2 mins read Coronavirus Social Care
The number of referrals to local authority children's services is down by almost a quarter, latest figures on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children’s social care have revealed.
Schools closures are among factors contributing the decline in referrals, DfE says. Picture: Adobe Stock
Schools closures are among factors contributing the decline in referrals, DfE says. Picture: Adobe Stock

During the lastest national lockdown, from January 25 to 31, the total number of referrals was 23 per cent lower than the usual number for the time of year, Department for Education figures, camparing the same week this year against a three-year average, show.

While the average number of referrals measured during this week between 2017 and 2020 was 12,300, this fell to 9,510 this year in the last week of January.

School closures is among factors responsible for the dip, according to DfE.

Referrals from schools were down 57 per cent. In addition, referrals from the police were down, by 10 per cent and those from individuals were 22 per cent down, the figures show.

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