Statistics published by the Department for Education show that as of 31 March this year there were 51,080 children on child protection plans, an increase of 770, or 1.5 per cent, on the 50,310 recorded in 2016.
The figure is now 30.64 per cent higher than in March 2010 - when it stood at 39,100.
The number of referrals to children's services, defined as a request for services to be provided by children's social care and is in respect of a child who is not currently in need, also rose.
In 2016/17 there were 646,120 referrals, a 3.97 per cent increase on the 2015/16 figure of 621,470. It represents the second highest figure this decade, behind the 657,790 referrals recorded in 2014.
However, the number of children deemed to be "in need", which includes disabled children, and those deemed unlikely to achieve a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of appropriate services, has fallen.
As of March 2016 there were 394,400 children in need, but over the course of the year this fell to 389,430 in 2017, a decrease 4,970, or 1.3 per cent.
Last month the Association of Directors of Children's Services called for a review of Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, which sets out local authorities' responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area classed as "in need".
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