Council and democracy

Children in Need census

Introduction

During the week 31 January to 6 February 2005, Hertfordshire took part in the national Department for Education and Skills (DfES)Children in Need census. This was the fourth such national census of all Local Authority services for children assessed as being in Need under the Children Act 1989. The previous censuses were carried out in February 2003, October 2001 and March 2000.

The date of the next CiN census is currently unknown.

The DfES defined what was to be measured during 7 consecutive days in order that the figures from each Local Authority were comparable across England. The results provide a snapshot of 1 week only and are not end of year totals, however, they do provide detailed analysis that can be compared with benchmark data from other Authorities across the country.

The initial results for the 2005 Census will be available in June 2005.

The figures for Hertfordshire in 2003 confirmed an increasing level of demand for our services, up by 5.2%. Despite the increased numbers, staff maintained the overall proportion of cases worked with in the week at 58%. Within these totals the number of Looked After Children (LAC) rose by 13%, and staff worked on more than 92% of the LAC cases during the week (an increase from the 85% last time). The main reason for referrals continues to be "abuse or neglect", 36% of cases.

Summary

Figures for the total number of CiN known to the Service during the census week, 3 to 9 february 2003 include:

• 7,579 children who were identified as known Children in Need, an increase of 5.2%
• Of these 967 were Looked after Children, an increase of 13%.
• An additional 295 children received respite care at some point during the year, an increase of 24%.
• The remaining 6,317 children were Supported in their Family or Independently.

Number of CiN in receipt of staff time during the census week are:

• 58% of the total known CiN cases (4368 cases out of 7579) received time from staff during the week in one form or another, (direct face to face with a child or writing a report etc). This is an increase of 4.8% on last time.
• 92% of all LAC cases received an input. This is an increase of 22% on last time.
• Average time spent on each case has decreased by 4-6%
• The number of Children in Need who were Asylum Seekers has gone up from 28 to 140.
• The number of CiN with Autism is up by 26%.
• Children on the Child Protection Register is up by 2%.