Number of Hackney children ‘in need’ rises by almost a third

Concern: Inrcreasing number of Hackney children classed in need. Photograph: Tom Hull

The number of children in the borough who are ‘in need’ has shot up by nearly a third in three years.

According to government figures released last month, 2,848 children were classed as ‘in need’ in March 2015, compared to 2,208 in March 2012 – an increase of 29 per cent.

The Hackney total is almost a third higher than the London borough average of 2,053, the Department for Education statistics reveal.

A spokesperson for children’s charity NSPCC said: “There is no doubt that the 29 per cent rise in children in need in Hackney is a cause for concern.

“We must ensure local authorities are taking action to protect vulnerable children in Hackney.”

The Children Act (1989) deems children to be ‘in need’ when they are disabled, or their standard of health or development would suffer without help from a local authority.

Of the total number of children ‘in need,’ half (1,421) were deemed to be ‘at risk’ of abuse and neglect, the figures also show.

Hackney Council in 2014/15 placed 216 children on a protection plan after discovering evidence of sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect.

A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “Protecting children is one of the most important things we do as a local authority. Unfortunately some families need intervention from our social services team, and the welfare of children is always our priority.”