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Trends over time

Cafcass private law and public law demand statistics are published on the tenth working day of each month. If you have any queries about the statistics, please contact us via our website form.

1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024

Text reads: Total new children's cases - year-to-date. Children's cases: 32,798. Children: 50,490. Open children's cases. 28,275 children's cases. 45,834 children. Compared to the same period last year (1 April 2023-31 October 2023). Compared to the same period last year figures represent: An increase in the total number of new children's cases (+554) 1.7%. An increase in the number of new public law children's cases (+293) +1.7%. An increase in the number of new private law children's cases (+261) +1.1%

Headline findings

  • In October 2024 Cafcass received 5,153 new children's cases (7,976 children)  

 

  • The average daily demand level in October 2024 was 224 children's cases per working day compared to 225 children's cases received per working day during October 2023 

 

  • The number of open outstanding children's cases at the end of October 2024 remains at a high level (28,275 children's cases); this is -7.6% / -2,310 children's cases compared to October 2023. There are currently 45,834 children on open children's cases. 

For the financial year to date (April 2024 - 31 October 2024), the main changes are:

  • An increase in total case demand (+1.7% / +554 children's cases / +545 children compared to the same period last year)  

 

  • An increase in public law children's cases (+3.2% / +293 children's cases / +217 children)  

 

  • An increase in private law children's cases (+1.1% / +261 children's cases / +328 children) 

Public law children’s cases (Financial year: 1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024)

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024, Cafcass received 9,593 new public law children’s cases, involving 15,189 children

S31 Care Applications (Financial year: 1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024)

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024, Cafcass received 6,696 new S31 Care Applications, involving 10,953 children. 

S31 care applications have increased by +1.2% (+79 applications) compared to the same period last year and represents an increase of 72 children on total applications received between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024.  

Please note that applications include those made on existing children’s cases as well as new public law children’s cases received in the period. 

Our public law data shows regularly updated statistics covering both national and local trends for: 

  • the total number of public law cases 
  • the number of care order applications made by local authorities and the number of children involved (monthly) 
  • the length of time taken to complete care and supervision proceedings (quarterly) 
  • number of care order applications by local authorities in England (quarterly) 
  • the rate of care order applications per ten thousand children population by local authorities in England (annually). 

View our public law demand spreadsheet, which includes open children’s cases as well as the number of children subject to S31 Care applications per 10,000 population.

Private law children’s cases (Financial Year: 1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024)

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024, Cafcass received 23,205 new private law children’s cases, involving 35,301 children. 

Private law demand is generally used to refer to applications made following a divorce or separation about the arrangements for children, such as where a child will live or with whom a child will spend time. 

View our private law demand spreadsheet, which includes open children’s cases.

Open children’s cases (October 2024 snapshot)

There are currently 28,275 open children’s cases. This is 2,310 fewer children's cases (-7.6%) than the same time last year. These children’s cases involve 45,834 children, which is 3,515 fewer children (-7.1%) compared to the same month last year.  

Open children’s cases have decreased in comparison to October 2023. Cafcass had 11,373 open public law children's cases at the end of October 2024, involving 19,857 children. This is 577 (-4.8%) fewer children's cases and 1,228 (-5.8%) fewer children compared to the same month last year.  

Cafcass had 16,902 open private law children's cases at the end of October 2024, involving 25,977 children. This is 1,773 (-9.3%) fewer children's cases and 2,287 (-8.1%) fewer children compared to the same month last year.