Rise in number of at-risk kids being killed or seriously injured
Authorities have recorded confirmed abuse of at least one vulnerable child in Portsmouth, new figures show.
Across England, there has beenanincreaseinthenumber of at-risk children being killed or seriously injured.
TheNationalSocietyforthe Prevention of Cruelty to Children said the figures must be a ‘catalyst’ for the Government tourgentlytransformthechild protection system.
Department for Education figuresshowoneortwoserious incidentsregardingthewelfare ofchildreninPortsmouthwere recorded in 2022-23 – down from five the year before.
A serious incident is when a child suspected of being neglected or abused has either been seriously harmed or has died. It also includes any looked-afterchildrenwhohave been harmed or died, whether abuse or neglect is suspected or not.
Figures have been suppressed in areas where one or two incidents have been recorded to protect children's identities.
In England, 456 incidents were recorded – up marginally from 442 the year before, though this is still below a recent peak in 2020-21 of 536, which is substantially higher than any of the past five years.
There were no incidents recorded in the Gosport, Fareham or Havant areas.
There were, though, eight seriousincidentsinSouthamptonin2022-23–upfromfivethe year before. Mid-year populationestimatesshow49,318childrenlivedinSouthamptonlast year, meaning 16.2 incidents per 100,000 children were recorded – among the highest rates in the country.
TheNSPCCsaidachildwho has suffered serious harm or even died, often due to abuse and neglect by those who shouldprotectthem,is‘behind every one of these figures’.
Abigail Gill, associate head of policy, said: ‘It is babies and our youngest children who are most reliant on the adults around them for care and protectionandparticularlyvulnerable to harm being inflicted on them.’
Ms Gill added: ‘These stark figures must be a catalyst for Government to show the political will and leadership needed to transform the child protection system as a matter of urgency to protect our most vulnerable children.’
Of the 456 incidents this year, 201 related to a child’s death, while 244 resulted in serious harm – which includes seriousimpairmentofachild’s mental health.