Headlines
- Child protection activity increased significantly in 2025 (figure 1). The rate of Section 47 Investigations reached 302.9 per 10,000 children, the highest rate recorded during the period shown and 5% above the Statistical Neighbour average.
- Performance against statutory timescales for Initial Child Protection Conferences remained strong (figure 2). In 2025, 81.2% of conferences were completed within 15 working days, exceeding the Statistical Neighbour average and remaining broadly in line with national performance.
- The rate of Initial Child Protection Conferences increased during 2025 (figure 3), rising from 81.0 to 94.0 per 10,000 children. Wakefield’s rate remained substantially higher than both the Statistical Neighbour and national averages.
- The rate of Child Protection Plans starting during the year increased by 13.2% in 2025 (figure 4), rising from 76.0 to 86.0 per 10,000 children and remaining considerably higher than both Statistical Neighbour and national averages.
- The overall rate of children subject to a Child Protection Plan increased sharply in 2025 (figure 5), rising by 30.4% from 56.0 to 73.0 per 10,000 children. This was substantially above both the Statistical Neighbour rate and the national rate.
- Boys continued to account for a slightly higher proportion of children subject to a Child Protection Plan than girls (figure 6). Children aged 5 to 18 years represented the largest proportion of the child protection population.
- Neglect remained the predominant category of abuse for children subject to Child Protection Plans (figure 7). However, emotional abuse has increased steadily over recent years and now accounts for a growing proportion of plans.
- The percentage of children becoming subject to a second or subsequent Child Protection Plan remained stable (figure 8). In 2025, 22.7% of children starting on a plan had previously been subject to a Child Protection Plan, broadly in line with Statistical Neighbour and national averages.
A common held ambition is that all children should be able to grow up into confident, healthy and happy adults and whilst the majority of children generally enjoy a positive childhood experience within their own family, some children and young people experience a degree of physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect which has a significant impact on their lives. Everyone whether they are parents, wider family members, neighbours, friends or members of a community, have a role to play in maintaining the safety and welfare of children and young people, supporting the aims of safeguarding. Those who work with children and young people have more formal responsibilities to safeguard children and young people. Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, March 2023) sets out the statutory framework for this defining the responsibilities of those who work with children along with the responsibilities of agencies and organisations. Working Together states that people working with children are expected to report concerns about a child’s welfare to the relevant agencies.
The maltreatment of children, physically, emotionally, sexually, or through neglect, can have major long-term effects. This can be on all aspects of a child’s health, development and wellbeing. This type of maltreatment is often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and research has shown that the immediate and longer term impact of ACEs can lead to anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders and self-destructive behaviours, difficulties in maintaining relationships, offending and anti-social behaviour as children move into adulthood. Maltreatment is likely to have a deep impact on a child’s self-image, self-esteem and their future life. The high cost of ACEs, both to individuals and to society, underpins the duty on all agencies to be proactive in safeguarding children.
When Wakefield Council’s Children Social Care Service identifies there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering abuse or neglect or is at risk of suffering significant harm, it will carry out an assessment under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to determine if it needs to take steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.
Initially a Strategy Discussion will be held attended by Police, Health and other key with partner agencies such as Education and voluntary sector services to determine what information is known about the child and their family. If significant concerns are identified a Section 47 Investigation will commence to gather all the relevant information. A Section 47 Investigation may be carried out when an initial concern is raised with the Service or at any another time where the child already has an open case with Children’s Social Care. If concerns are substantiated and the child is judged to be at continuing risk of harm then an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) will be held within 15 working days of the Strategy Discussion.
At the ICPC, the information gathered is reviewed and the decision will be made as to whether the child needs to become the subject of a Child Protection Plan. This sets out the action that needs to be taken, by when and by whom to keep the child safe from harm and to promote their welfare. Once implemented, the plan will be reviewed at regular Review Conferences until the child is no longer considered at risk of significant harm and there has been effective and sustainable change. At this point the child or young person may become a child in need to ensure changes are being sustained or they may be referred for support to non statutory services such as the Wakefield Targeted Early Help Service. If there is no change in the circumstances for the child or young person or behaviour of the parents or carers or there is an escalation in risk or safety for the child or young person they may be taken into care. For more information on children in care data within Wakefield, please see the children in need page on this website.
The following summary of data relating to Child Protection in Wakefield provides population level information and considers how this compares to rates in England along with the rates for other similar local authority areas knows as statistical neighbours for Wakefield. This data is published annually by the Department of Education based on the financial year to 31st March and is collected through the Child in Need Census which is submitted by all local authorities. Where it has been found that data for Child Protection in Wakefield varies significantly from statistical neighbours or where there is an increasing or decreasing trend over time, then some recommendations are made and commentary is provided on whether this is currently being addressed or if further action is required.
1. The Population
Section 47 Investigations
Figure 1 – Rate of Section 47 Investigations Starting in the Year
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 229.1 | 228.1 | 272.9 | 244.9 | 302.9 |
| Statistical Neighbours | 183.7 | 191.5 | 213.4 | 182.7 | 198.1 |
| National | 169.0 | 185.0 | 189.0 | 186.0 | 189.0 |
Section 47 Investigations are undertaken where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. As such, they provide an important measure of safeguarding demand within the district.
In 2025, the rate of Section 47 Investigations increased to 302.9 per 10,000 children, representing a 23.7% increase from 244.9 in 2024. This is the highest rate recorded during the period shown and continues the longer-term trend of increasing safeguarding activity.
Wakefield’s rate was significantly higher than both the Statistical Neighbour average of 198.1 and the national average of 189.0, indicating comparatively high levels of child protection activity within the district. The increase may reflect rising levels of need, improvements in the identification of safeguarding concerns, or greater professional awareness resulting in more referrals meeting the threshold for investigation.
Initial Child Protection Conferences
Figure 2 – Percentage of Initial Child Protection Conferences Held Within 15 Days
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 95.9% | 83.6% | 87.6% | 87.2% | 81.2% |
| Statistical Neighbours | 86.0% | 85.0% | 84.1% | 86.0% | 77.9% |
| National | 83.0% | 79.2% | 78.4% | 79.7% | 81.4% |
Initial Child Protection Conferences (ICPCs) are a critical element of the child protection process and should be held within 15 working days of the Strategy Discussion to ensure timely decision-making where significant harm is suspected.
In 2025, 81.2% of Initial Child Protection Conferences in Wakefield were held within statutory timescales. Whilst this represented a decrease from 87.2% in 2024, performance remained above the Statistical Neighbour average of 77.9% and broadly comparable to the national average of 81.4%.
Although performance has fluctuated in recent years, Wakefield has consistently performed at or above comparator areas since 2020, demonstrating continued focus on timely safeguarding intervention and effective multi-agency coordination.
Figure 3 – Rate of Initial Child Protection Conferences
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 77.0 | 77.0 | 86.0 | 81.0 | 94.0 |
| Statistical Neighbours | 68.2 | 63.7 | 68.7 | 66.7 | 70.6 |
| National | 62.0 | 63.0 | 62.0 | 60.0 | 59.0 |
The rate of Initial Child Protection Conferences provides an indication of the number of children progressing through the child protection process following assessment and investigation.
In 2025, the rate increased to 94.0 per 10,000 children, representing an increase of 16.0% compared with 2024. This was the highest rate recorded since 2020 and substantially exceeded both the Statistical Neighbour average (70.6) and the national average (59.0).
The increase aligns with the rise in Section 47 Investigations observed during the same period and suggests an increase in the number of children requiring formal child protection assessment and decision-making.
Child Protection Plans
Figure 4 – Rate of Child Protection Plans Starting in Year
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 73.0 | 73.0 | 81.0 | 76.0 | 86.0 |
| Statistical Neighbours | 61.8 | 60.4 | 61.4 | 58.4 | 60.3 |
| National | 54.0 | 55.0 | 54.0 | 52.0 | 51.0 |
The rate of Child Protection Plans starting during the year provides an indication of the number of children identified as requiring ongoing statutory intervention to safeguard them from significant harm.
Following a reduction between 2023 and 2024, the rate increased from 76.0 to 86.0 per 10,000 children in 2025, representing an increase of 13.2%.
Wakefield’s rate remained significantly higher than both the Statistical Neighbour average of 60.3 and the national average of 51.0. The data suggests that higher numbers of children required formal child protection intervention during 2025 compared with both comparator groups.
There is regular auditing of cases at each stage of the child protection process to ensure decision making is robust and the length of time that children are on a plan is regularly reviewed to determine whether expected change is achievable, risks are reduced and outcomes are improving.
Figure 5 – Rate of Children Subject to Child Protection Plan (per 10,000 population)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 52.0 | 57.0 | 64.0 | 56.0 | 73.0 |
| Statistical Neighbours | 46.7 | 50.0 | 48.0 | 44.6 | 46.3 |
| National | 42.0 | 43.0 | 43.0 | 41.0 | 41.0 |
The rate of children subject to a Child Protection Plan increased substantially in 2025.
Following a decrease from 64.0 per 10,000 children in 2023 to 56.0 in 2024, the rate increased sharply to 73.0 per 10,000 children in 2025, representing an increase of 30.4% in a single year.
This was significantly higher than both the Statistical Neighbour average of 46.3 and the national average of 41.0. The increase reflects a larger population of children requiring ongoing child protection intervention and highlights the importance of maintaining sufficient safeguarding capacity across the partnership.
The data in the charts below provides more detail on Current and Previous Child Protection Population:
Figure 6 – Current Child Protection Population
The profile of children subject to Child Protection Plans remained broadly consistent during 2025/26.
Boys accounted for a slightly higher proportion of children subject to Child Protection Plans than girls, representing approximately 55% of the cohort, whilst girls accounted for around 44%.
Children aged 5 to 18 years represented the majority of the child protection population, accounting for approximately 82% of all children subject to a plan. This reflects the greater prevalence of safeguarding concerns identified amongst older children and young people.
The demographics of the child protection population have remained relatively stable over recent years, with no significant shifts observed in either age or gender distribution.
Figure 7 – Category of Abuse
Neglect remained the most common category of abuse identified for children subject to Child Protection Plans in Wakefield during 2025/26.
Of the 1,179 children recorded within the child protection population, 771 (65.4%) were subject to plans where neglect was identified as the primary category of concern. Emotional abuse accounted for 325 children (27.6%), whilst physical abuse and sexual abuse remained considerably less common.
Whilst neglect continues to be the predominant safeguarding concern, the number of children subject to plans under the category of emotional abuse has increased considerably in recent years. Since 2021/22, the number of children subject to plans due to emotional abuse has increased by more than 200%, indicating growing recognition of the impact of emotional harm and increasing complexity within the child protection population.
Figure 8 – Percentage of Children Who Became Subject of Plan for Second or Subsequent Time
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Wakefield | 20.0% | 27.0% | 23.5% | 21.8% | 22.7% |
| Statistical Neighbours | 20.3% | 21.4% | 20.6% | 22.9% | 23.2% |
| National | 22.1% | 22.7% | 23.6% | 24.7% | 24.5% |
A repeat Child Protection Plan may indicate that previous improvements have not been sustained or that safeguarding concerns have re-emerged following closure of an earlier plan.
In 2025, 22.7% of children starting on a Child Protection Plan had previously been subject to a plan. This was broadly consistent with the Statistical Neighbour average of 23.2% and lower than the national average of 24.5%.
Performance has remained relatively stable over recent years and represents an improvement compared with the peak of 27.0% seen in 2022. Repeat Child Protection Plans continue to be reviewed through audit processes to identify learning opportunities and support continuous improvement in safeguarding practice
Key Findings Recommendations
The 2023 data is remains fairly consistent with statistical neighbour data although there has been an increase in some activity such as section 47 investigations and ICPCs. Having considered the key messages from the data the following recommendations have been identified:
- Continue to ensure that children who are at potential of risk are identified and the appropriate statutory processes are undertaken which is evidenced by sustaining the rate of Section 47 Investigations and Initial Child Protection Conferences
- Ensure the improvement in the rate of ICPCs completed within 15 days seen in 2023 is sustained
- As there is a higher percentage of children on a Child Protection Plan living in the South East cluster area, further analysis could help identify themes and primary needs to inform any targeted work to reduce the volume
- Consider if improvements in practice and across the Children’s Social Care Service is required to prevent the needs of children and young people escalating so that a Child Protection Plan is required through more effective early intervention.
4. How are Children with Child Protection Plans Supported?
Children’s Social Care
In Wakefield, services for children, young people and their families are described within the Continuum of Need. This has been developed through the Wakefield Safeguarding Children’s Partnership in conjunction with other agencies such as Health, Police and voluntary organisations and is consistent with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). It describes the level of support available for children and young people depending on their level of need from services which are available universally and for all such as dentists, GPs and schools through to services for children and young people with significant and complex needs. The aim is that children and young people will receive support at the earliest possible stage when required to prevent issues from becoming more serious. Support may be provided through a range of services such as Health Visitors, Community Based Groups, in Children Centres and through the Early Help Service in the Children First Hubs.
For children and young people who have been assessed as having serious complex needs will receive support at level 4 of the continuum of need, and will receive support from a Social Worker. In some situations a child or young person may have received support at an earlier stage eg level 2 or 3 but this may not have been successful in resolving issues or reducing risks.
Support for children and young people in need is provided through Social Work teams, although it is likely that children and young people may also receive other types of support eg attending a group work programme through the Children First Hubs, accessing emotional health support or having respite care. Some of this support may be delivered by partner agencies such as Health and Schools. For children with a Child Protection Plan, the initial plan will be developed through the ICPC which will detail what interventions are required to improve outcomes for children.
The child or young person will be visited on a very regular basis by their Social Worker (every 10 days) who will work with the child and their family to make positive changes to address issues and reduce risks of harm. Progress on the Child Protection Plan will be reviewed at multi agency meetings called Core Groups and also at Review Child Protection Conferences and if there is evidence of improved outcomes then the child or young person will be de-registered from their plan. They will receive support at a lower level with a Child in Need Plan for a short period to ensure improvements are sustained. If there is no improvement for the child or young person, The Child Protection Conference Chair may decide that the case needs to be escalated and legal proceedings may commence with the child or young person coming into care.
Within the Children’s Social Care Service there is also a specific Children Vulnerable to Exploitation Team which works to reduce risks for children who go missing as well as those at risk of exploitation such as sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
Wakefield Safeguarding Partnership
Wakefield Safeguarding Partnership is led by Wakefield Children & Young People Services, Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group and West Yorkshire Police. Working alongside other partners, the partnership co-ordinate and ensure the effectiveness of work to protect and promote the welfare of children recognising that maintaining and promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people requires a multi agency approach.
Wakefield Families Together
Wakefield Families Together is an approach which was launched in 2020 to establish community based teams drawn from professionals from different agencies. These agencies include: Children First Hubs, Children’s Social Care, Health, Police, The Third sector and community services to ensure children, young people and families are supported at the earliest possible stage. The teams are co-located to work alongside each other across the 6 cluster areas in Wakefield. The work is focused community need. Schools are central as part of the local community helping to drive and support families. Schools have linked workers and regular meetings to offer consultations where it is felt families may require additional support. The aim is work collaboratively and to ensure resources are in place to meet need at the earliest stage. More information is found here:
Wakefield Families Together – Wakefield Families Together