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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 2025 – 30 November 2025

The text reads: Total new children’s cases – Year to date. Children’s cases 38,813; children, 59,861. Open children’s cases: 27,545 children’s cases, 44,099 children. Compared to the same period last year (1 April – 30 November 2024), figures represent: An increase in the total number of new children’s cases (+1,737) +4.7%, an increase in the total number of new public law children’s cases (+361) +3.3%, an increase in the total number of new private law children’s cases (+1,376) +5.3%

Headline findings

  • In November 2025 Cafcass received 4,823 new children's cases (7,407 children)  
  • The average daily demand level in November 2025 was 241 children's cases per working day compared to 213 children's cases received per working day during November 2024 
  • The number of open outstanding children's cases at the end of November 2025 was 27,545 children's cases, this is -1.4% / -388 children's cases compared to November 2024. There are currently 44,099 children on open children's cases which is 1,059 (-2.3%) fewer than November 2024. 
     

For the financial year to date (April 2025 - November 2025), the main changes are:

  • An increase in total children’s case demand (+4.7% / +1,737 children's cases / +2,725 children compared to the same period last year)  

  • An increase in public law children's cases (+3.3% / +361 children's cases / +733 children)  

  • An increase in private law children's cases (+5.3% / +1,376 children's cases /+1,992 children) 

Public law children’s cases (Financial year: 1 April 2025 – 30 November 2025)

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 November 2025, Cafcass received 11,323 new public law children’s cases, involving 18,162 children. 

S31 Care Applications (Financial year: 1 April 2025 – 30 November 2025)

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 November 2025, Cafcass received 8,052 new S31 Care Applications, involving 13,259 children. 

S31 care applications have increased by 4.7% (+361 applications) compared to the same period last year with an increase in children involved (+732 children). 

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 2025 – 30 November 2025)

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 November 2025, Cafcass received 27,490 new private law children’s cases, involving 41,699 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 (November 2025 snapshot)

Open children’s cases have decreased in comparison to November 2024. There are currently 27,545 open children’s cases. This is -388 fewer children's cases (-1.4%) than the same time last year. These children’s cases involve 44,099 children, which is -1,059 fewer children (-2.3%) compared to the same month last year.  

Cafcass had 11,132 open public law children's cases at the end of November 2025, involving 19,489 children. This is -205 (-1.8%) fewer children's cases and -275 (-1.4%) fewer children compared to the same month last year.  

Cafcass had 16,413 open private law children's cases at the end of November 2025, involving 24,610 children. This is -183 (-1.1%) fewer children's cases and -784 (-3.1%) fewer children compared to the same month last year.