30 October 2025
Responding to the statistics, Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, said:
“Today’s figures underline the urgent need to tackle the factors affecting children who come into contact with children’s services. Poor parental mental health and exposure to domestic abuse are seen in over a third of assessments. These experiences cause lasting damage to children’s development and are the key drivers for children entering the care system.
“Our existing evidence shows that the right support can strengthen the parenting skills of those who experience serious mental health issues, and reduce the risk of serious harm to vulnerable children. Where we know what works, we need to act on it if we are to shift the dial on children’s outcomes. A national focus on support for parents, driven from the centre, will be key to realising the transformative potential of early intervention.
“Children who witness domestic abuse are victims in their own right. Experiencing domestic abuse in childhood can triple the risk of being either a victim or a perpetrator in adulthood. It’s vital that we understand what works to support child victims and use this to guide decisions about support and funding. The forthcoming VAWG strategy must centre evaluation as a core principle, including the capacity needed to evaluate.”
Contact: Charlie Baker, Senior Press Officer, charlie.baker@foundations.org.uk