THE number of children in need in Cheshire West and East has risen above pre-pandemic levels, new figures show.

The Children's Society said the pandemic had a significant toll on children’s wellbeing and left them more exposed to problems at home.

Cheshire West and Chester had 2,198 children in need on March 31 this year, up 11 per cent from 1,975 a year before.

It was also up 20 per cent on the 1,831 children in March 2020, who were largely identified before the pandemic.

The rate of children in need in Cheshire West and Chester was 318 per 10,000 children this year, below England's overall rate of 334 per 10,000.

Cheshire East had 2,122 children in need on March 31 this year, up two per cent from 2,082 a year before.

It was also up one per cent on the 2,106 children in March 2020.

The rate of children in need in Cheshire East was 272 per 10,000 children this year, below England's overall rate.

The recent figures are from the Department of Education's annual children in need census, which includes unborn children and young people on social care and protection plans, those looked after by local authorities, disabled children, and young people over the age of 18 still receiving support from children's services.

A total of 3,184 assessments for children referred to social care services were carried out in Cheshire West in the year to March 2022, with ​919 finding the child was not in need.

Primary needs for social care services in the area included abuse or neglect – making up 71 per cent of cases where an assessment identified a need.

At 11 per cent, family dysfunction was also a significant need.

A total of 2,960 assessments were carried out in Cheshire East, with ​325 finding the child was not in need.

Primary needs for social care services in the area included abuse or neglect – making up 77 per cent of cases where an assessment identified a need.

At eight per cent, acute stress in the family was also a significant need.

The Department of Education said the return to in-person classes after Covid-19 restrictions was likely to have contributed to the increase in referrals.

A spokesperson from the department added: "It is vital that children are safe and supported in order for them to thrive, no matter their background."

They said the department is ‘strengthening links’ between social care and education to keep vulnerable children and young people engaged in education alongside providing funding for pupils with social workers or in care.