Children in need (CIN)

CIN are defined in law as children who are aged under 18 and; need local authority services to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development; need local authority services to prevent significant and or further harm or development; are disabled - Children Act 1989 Section 17 (10)

At 26.10.2012 there were 3,591 CIN on weekly allocated/unallocated report from SCC ICS. It is not possible to compare 2009 and 2012 data as the definition of CIN has changed. The definition for the 2012 data is: children and young people aged under 18 or unborn with an open case who are neither subject to a Child Protection Plan nor Looked After at the snapshot date. The

allocated/unallocated report does not break children down by whether or not they are disabled but the number of CIN open to the two complex needs teams at that date was 722. Children open to other teams may have been classed as having a disability too but this is not captured in the allocated/unallocated report

Number of children on a child protection plan (CPP)

For year ending March 2009, there were 480 children on CPP, with 460 in year ending March 2008. There has been a steep increase in the number of children subject to a CPP in the last few years, with the total as at 31.12.2013 standing at 886.

The figures below are for children and young people subject to a CPP as at 30.06.2012 and are taken from data compiled for a 'heat map' at that date, with the district/borough to be the originating address for the child, the 19 shown as 'other' had an address outside the County boundary.

Table 35 – Number of CYP subject to a CPP in Surrey as of 30.06.2012

Local authority CYP with CPP

Elmbridge 63

Epsom and Ewell 68

Guildford 103

Mole Valley 72

Reigate and Banstead 107

Runnymede 70 Spelthorne 116 Surrey Heath 52 Tandridge 36 Waverley 70 Woking 86 Other 19 TOTAL 862 Source: SCC, 2012

Table 36 – Number of Children in South East England on Child Protection Plan comparison 2009 with 2012 No of children County 2009 2012 Hampshire 466 795 Surrey 465 794 East Sussex 372 674 West Sussex 369 399 Oxfordshire 224 364

Source: for 2009 CAMHS HNA 2009 & 2012 DfE 2012

The number of children and young people aged 0-17 years on a CP has increased substantially since 2009. There has been a difference in the level of increase across SE counties.

The figures below are taken from the CIN Census statutory return for 2011/12 and show the total number of children subject to a Surrey CPP as at 31.03.2012.

Table 37 – Number of children subject to a Surrey CPP by category of abuse as of 31.03.2012

Category of abuse Total

Neglect 231 Emotional abuse 383 Physical abuse 14 Sexual abuse 61 Multiple categories 104 Total CPP 793

Source: Surrey CIN Census, 2012

Domestic abuse is also a significant factor in the lives of many of these children and young people but is not categorised in the CIN census statutory return. There is a draft Domestic Abuse strategy, and needs assessment and JSNA chapter due for publication in 2014.

The draft JSNA Domestic abuse chapter33 refers to a study (NSPCC, 2011) which suggests that nationally 12% of under 11 year olds, 18% of 11-17 year olds and 24% of 18-24 year olds had been exposed to domestic abuse between adults in their homes during childhood and national evidence of the impact of domestic abuse on young carers (Young Carers Pathfinder, 2011). In Surrey in 2012/13, 2,897 children under 16 years were reported as either living with the victim or being affected in other ways by domestic abuse, such as through contact orders (Domestic Abuse Profile, 2012/13). 53% of women who contacted domestic abuse outreach in Surrey have children. The needs of children and young people are often due to witnessing abuse, and can last into adulthood. Children’s experiences of domestic abuse are more than a child protection issue, with research indicating implications for education, health, welfare, civil and criminal justice. Witnessing domestic abuse as a child is associated with adulthood reports of depression and low self-esteem, and becoming either a victim or a perpetrator of domestic abuse as an adult34. Statistics also indicate that domestic abuse between parents and carers in the home is something that girls are more likely to have noticed than boys35. This could indicate a need for targeted domestic abuse education for boys so that they are better equipped to identify and name what is happening at home.

0.6% of outreach referrals were from under 17s, which indicates that some teenage victims are accessing support (however the age of 10.8% of referrals is unknown)36. The mental health of a mother suffering domestic abuse is the most significant determinant of her child’s resilience. At a young age children may experience sleep disturbance, temper tantrums and delayed development as a result of abuse suffered or witnessed. Older children may develop behavioural disorders, suffer poor concentration or find it difficult to socialise with peers. Adolescents may suffer from

delinquency, aggressive behaviour, depression and other mental health disorders. Parental substance misuse and mental ill health can have a significant impact upon the health and well- being of children and young people and where one or both of these co-exist alongside domestic abuse the short and long term risks to the child increases.

There were 1,421 contacts made to children’s social care between January 2012 and February 2013 with a reason of domestic abuse, however, this number reflects those whose recorded contact was domestic abuse and will therefore not reflect the full picture of need37.

A Domestic abuse checklist and associated guidance has been developed with Surrey children’s social care to provide a positive, proactive and appropriate response to those experiencing domestic abuse and violence in order to minimise risk, maximise safety and safeguard children and young people effectively. The checklist includes prompts regarding full assessment of the level of emotional abuse and the engagement of the non-abusive parent and the impact on their

parenting capacity.

One third of young people who are NEET are currently or have been previously CIN, whilst 5% had previously had a CPP. For those who also had SEND, more than 60% of the CIN referrals were a result of family dysfunction or acute stress.

Since August 2012 the youth support service has worked preventatively with 172 young people who were CIN, to reduce their risk of becoming looked after in the future (as at 12.11.13)