Child welfare referrals rise to 41,600

The number of referrals to social services on foot of child protection and welfare concerns almost doubled to 41,600 in seven years.

Nearly half of these (19,407) flagged child protection concerns, where there were grounds to believe there was a risk of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. The figure for 2013 is more than twice what it was in 2006 (9,461).

Another 22,192 related to concerns for a child’s welfare, a 91% increase in the seven-year period. In 2006, the figure stood at 11,579.