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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 April 2025

Text reads: Total new children's cases – Year to date. Children's cases: 4,655. Children: 7,094. Open children's cases. 27,229 children's cases. 43,852 children. Compared to the same period last year (1 April-30 April 2024). Compared to the same period last year figures represent: A decrease in the total number of new children's cases (-46) -1.0%. An increase in the number of new public law children's cases (+49) +3.7%. A decrease in the number of new private law children's cases (-95) -2.8%

Headline findings

  • In April 2025 Cafcass received 4,655 new children's cases (7,094 children) 
  • The average daily demand level in April 2025 was 233 children's cases per working day compared to 235 children's cases received per working day during April 2024
  • The number of open outstanding children's cases at the end of April 2025 is 27,229 children's cases; this is -9.4% / -2,820 children's cases compared to April 2024. There are currently 43,852 children on open children's cases.

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

  • A decrease in total case demand (-1.0% / -46 children's cases / -186 children compared to the same period last year) 
  • An increase in public law children's cases (+3.7% / +49 children's cases / +67 children) 
  • A decrease in private law children's cases (-2.8% / -95 children's cases / -253 children)

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

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 April 2025, Cafcass received 1,377 new public law children’s cases, involving 2,155 children.

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

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 April 2025, Cafcass received 939 new S31 Care Applications, involving 1,525 children.

S31 care applications have increased by 1.7% (+16 applications) compared to the same period last year with an increase in children involved (+39 children) received between 1 April 2025 and 30 April 2025. 

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 April 2025)

Between 1 April 2025 and 30 April 2025, Cafcass received 3,278 new private law children’s cases, involving 4,939 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 (April 2025 snapshot)

Open children’s cases have decreased in comparison to April 2024. There are currently 27,229 open children’s cases. This is -2,820 fewer children's cases (-9.4%) than the same time last year. These children’s cases involve 43,852 children, which is -5,115 fewer children (-10.4%) compared to the same month last year. 

Cafcass had 11,016 open public law children's cases at the end of April 2025, involving 19,205 children. This is -782 (-6.6%) fewer children's cases and -1,622 (-7.8%) fewer children compared to the same month last year. 

Cafcass had 16,213 open private law children's cases at the end of April 2025, involving 24,647 children. This is –2,038 (-11.2%) fewer children's cases and –3,493 (-12.4%) fewer children compared to the same month last year.