Intervention pathways following a social work assessment: an analysis of national administrative data for children’s social care in England

The majority of children referred to social care services in England go on to receive a statutory assessment by a social worker. Research has identified consistent categories of demand based on the needs identified in assessments. However, little is known about the relationship between children’s assessed needs and their subsequent intervention pathways. To explore this relationship, secondary analysis was undertaken of a national administrative data-set including all children who received a social work assessment in England from 2015 to 2020 (n = 3.6 m). Children’s characteristics, assessed needs and intervention pathways were compared for each episode of CSC involvement. Regression analysis then explored how the proportion of children receiving different types of provision varied according to their needs as well as intersections of gender, age and ethnicity. The findings showed significant differences across twelve categories of demand, pointing to variation in the assessment and response to similar types of presenting needs. Implications are discussed for the planning and design of services.