State of children in Suffolk

1. On 31st March 2021, there were 3,937 children in need in Suffolk. The rate of children in need has increased in Suffolk in recent years, and the current rate of 257.6 (per 10,000 children aged under 18) is the highest it has been locally since 2013. Although increasing, the current rate in Suffolk remains significantly lower (statistically) than the England average of 321.2 per 10,000, and below the rate for its statistical neighbours (267.1 per 10,000).
2. There were 498 children in Suffolk who were subject to a child protection plan on 31st March 2021. The rate of child protection plans in Suffolk has increased in recent years, and the current rate of 32.6 (per 10,000 children aged under 18) is the highest it has been locally since 2014. Although increasing, the current rate in Suffolk remains significantly lower (statistically) than the England average of 41.4 per 10,000, and below the rate for its statistical neighbours (37.3 per 10,000).
3. Neglect (56.2%) was the most common initial category of abuse recorded for children on child protection plans in Suffolk. This proportion is significantly higher (statistically) than the England average of 48.2%. A further 33.5% of child protection plans in Suffolk were due to emotional abuse.
4. There were 947 children in care in Suffolk on 31st March 2021. Since 2018, the rate of children in care in Suffolk has steadily increased, and the current rate of 62 (per 10,000 children aged under 18) is the highest it has been since 2018. Although increasing, the current rate in Suffolk is significantly lower (statistically) than the England average of 67 per 10,000 (but higher than Suffolk’s statistical neighbours, 59.6). The Suffolk rate is affected by numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are a statistically significantly higher percentage of looked after children in Suffolk than England, and than most (eight) of Suffolk’s statistical neighbours.
5. Locally, most children in care in Suffolk had a recorded need of abuse or neglect – 67.5%. This is similar to the national average of 66%. Local families in acute stress (10.6%) and “family dysfunction” (9.0%) were the other two highest categories of need of children in care.
6. Between 2015/16 and 2020/21, the number of pupils receiving special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in all schools in Suffolk increased from 10,803 to 12,670 (a significant increase from 9.9% to 11.4%). Although increasing, the current proportion in Suffolk remains significantly lower (statistically) than England (12.2%) and Suffolk’s statistical neighbours (13.0%).
7. The top five most common primary needs among pupils receiving SEND support in Suffolk in 2020/21 were: speech, language, and communication needs (19.8%); social, emotional, and mental health needs (17.6%); specific learning difficulties (17.4%); moderate learning difficulties (13.7%); other difficulties or disabilities (10%).
8. In 2021/22, 4,327 pupils in Suffolk had a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care (EHC) plan in Suffolk (3,964 excluding pupils at independent schools). Among pupils with a statement or an EHC plan in Suffolk (excluding pupils at independent schools), the most common primary needs in 2021/22 were: autism spectrum (25.0%), speech, language, and communication needs (16.2%), and social, emotional and mental health needs (14.0%).
9. In 2020/21, 19.3% of primary school pupils in Suffolk (10,969 pupils) were eligible for free school meals. 15.9% of secondary school pupils were eligible (7,119 pupils). Both percentages are significantly lower than England (21.6% of primary pupils, 18.9% of secondary pupils), but higher than Suffolk’s statistical neighbours (18.7% primary pupils and 15.7% secondary pupils).
10. In January 2021, 10.2% of state-funded primary school pupils in Suffolk did not have English as a first language (5,813 pupils). In state-funded secondary schools, it was 7.5%. (3,350). These percentages are statistically significantly lower than England (20.9% and 17.2%), but higher than Suffolk’s statistical neighbour group (7.1% and 5.8%).
11. In 2019/20, it was estimated that around 12,260 children under the age of 16 in Suffolk had a reported disability (9%). Social or behavioural impairments were the most common impairment type reported among disabled children (37%), followed by mental health and “other” (both 21%).
12. 1 in 5 Gypsy Traveller mothers will experience the loss of a child compared to 1 in a 100 in the non-Traveller community.
13. Among 16-24 year olds in Suffolk, there are an estimated 4,190 to 6,050 people who are likely to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or other.
14. In 2020/21, the impact of being a young carer was identified in 418 children social care assessments across Suffolk (6.6% of completed assessments, significantly higher than England 3.5%).
15. Of the 175 care leavers aged 17-18 in Suffolk in 2020/21, 96.0% were in suitable accommodation, which is significantly higher than England (90.7%). Among 436 Suffolk care leavers aged 19-21 years old, 86.7% were in suitable accommodation, statistically similar to England (87.3%).
16. 70.8% of 175 care leavers aged 17-18 in Suffolk were in education, employment, or training in 2020/21, statistically similar to England (65.0%). Of 440 Suffolk care leavers aged 19-21, 48.6% were in education, employment, or training, statistically similar to England (52.0%).

1. Communities are often regarded as geographical, where a group of people live in the same place. However, communities can also be centred around a specific social, leisure, economic or health activity, need or interest, and where groups of people share the same characteristics, attitudes or interests.
2. For children and young people, the first experience of community is usually the family unit into which they are born and raised, and the locality in which they grow up. Nursery and school also offer a sense of community, as do after school clubs and membership of a sports team or other common interest groups.
3. Resilient communities have an important role in action on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs have been found to have lifelong impacts on health and behaviour and they are relevant to all sectors and involve all of us in society.
4. ACEs include various forms of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction experienced in childhood. These experiences can lead to poor health and social outcomes in adulthood. As the number of ACEs experienced by a child increase, so does the risk of poor outcomes.
5. The Youth Focus Programme in Suffolk recognises the crucial role people within local communities – shopkeepers, youth workers, sports coaches, neighbours – have in supporting local young people to develop a sense of belonging as well as encouraging them to aspire, thrive and grow.
6. A Healthwatch Suffolk report found that some (less than one hour per day) social media usage resulted in higher well-being scores than abstinence from social media entirely. However, high levels of social media activity were linked to reported lower well-being scores, with average well-being scores decreasing with each additional hour spent on social media.
7. Not all communities are beneficial to children and young people’s well-being, even though they may provide a sense of identity or belonging. ‘Unhealthy’ communities are those that do not provide children and young people with a safe environment in which to grow and develop successfully and may leave them feeling lonely and disconnected from the world around them.
8. In instances where a child has grown up in an unhealthy family environment for example, a sense of belonging may be achieved by contact and involvement with groups/communities that may exploit that child/young person, for example, county lines.
9. The health-protecting and health-harming factors of communities are not equally distributed, with those living in deprived areas less likely to experience the positive benefits that communities can offer. In addition, they are more likely to experience the negative aspects of communities.

1.  There are nearly 102,000 pupils in state-funded primary and secondary schools in Suffolk in 2020/21. In addition, there are 1,300 pupils under special school provision, and approximately 170 in pupil referral units.
2. In 2018/19, 70.7% of pupils in Suffolk achieved a good level of development by the end of Reception Year (first year of primary school), which is significantly lower (statistically) than the national average of 71.8%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more recent data may not be comparable.
3. At the end of Key Stage 2 (last year of primary school), 62% of pupils in Suffolk met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2018/19, which is significantly lower (statistically) than the national average of 65%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more recent data may not be comparable.
4. In 2018/19, 39% of pupils in Suffolk achieved a good pass in English and maths in their GCSEs, whilst 61.9% achieved a standard pass. Both of these are significantly lower (statistically) than the England averages of 43.4% for a good pass and 64.9% for a standard pass. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more recent data may not be comparable.
5. 76.5% of students in Suffolk achieved at least 2 A-levels in 2018/19 compared with 80% nationally; 8.7% achieved 3 A*-A grades or better (10.8% in England); 16% achieved AAB grades or better (18.4% in England). 81% of students in Suffolk achieved at least 2 substantial Level 3 qualifications (84.7% nationally). All four measures are significantly lower (statistically) in Suffolk compared with England. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more recent data may not be comparable.
6. In 2020/21, 4% of 16-18 year olds in Suffolk were not in education, employment or training (NEET). Locally, this means there were 886 children and young people that were NEET in 2020/21.
7. Almost 1 in 4 people in Suffolk (24.8%) had an undergraduate degree or higher compared with 1 in 3 (33.1%) nationally in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more recent data may not be comparable.
8. In 2020/21, around 2 in 3 16-24 year olds (67.6%) were economically active in Suffolk (59.8% in England), whilst 1 in 3 (32.4%) were economically inactive (40.2% in England). Just over half (53.7%) of 16-24 year olds were in employment in Suffolk in 2020/21, slightly higher than the England average of 51%.
9. Across Suffolk, the greatest levels of deprivation on the Children and Young People sub-domain are around Mildenhall, Newmarket, Haverhill, Glemsford, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, Stanton, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Leiston, Reydon, Bungay, and Lowestoft. Additional hotspots of deprivation on the Adult Skills sub-domain include areas around Hundon, which is close to Haverhill.
10. In 2017, Ipswich, Forest Heath (West Suffolk), Babergh, and Waveney (East Suffolk) were ranked in the worst 20% of local authorities for social mobility, which indicates that people from disadvantaged backgrounds in these areas were least likely to make social progress. This data has not been updated since 2017.

1. A stable, nurturing, and safe environment in childhood provides the basis from which children and young people can develop, build resilience, learn how to form healthy and fulfilling relationships and social networks and achieve their potential in adulthood.
2. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) appear to be linked to important outcomes in areas such as health and social care, criminal justice, and policing. Children who experience stressful childhoods are more likely to adopt health-harming behaviours during their adolescence, which can lead to mental ill health and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes later in life.
3. There were 916 children in care in Suffolk on the 31st of March 2022. This compares with 854 children in care locally in 2018. Since 2018, the rate of children in care in Suffolk has steadily increased, and the latest rate (for 2020/21) of 62 per 10,000 children aged under 18 is the highest it has been since 2018.
4. There were 916 children in care in Suffolk on the 31st of March 2022. This compares with 854 children in care locally in 2018. Since 2018, the number of children in care in Suffolk steadily increased, although the latest locally provided figure (n=916) is lower than the previous year(n=947). Although increasing, the rate of children in care in Suffolk remains significantly lower (statistically) than the England average of 67 per 10,000 (2020/21).
5. Within Suffolk, the rate of hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in children aged 0-14 years has been falling since 2010/11. In 2020/21, the rate of hospital admissions were statistically significantly higher than the national average, having been consistently statistically lower in all previous years.
6. Rates of hospital admissions for self-harm are relatively high in Suffolk. In 2020/21 Suffolk had the second highest rate of admissions per 100,000 children aged 10-24 years in the East of England and the highest rate in those aged 15-19 years. Over the last three years, Suffolk has had rates of hospital admissions statistically significantly above the national average.
7. Bullying affects children and young people’s emotional well-being. Children and young people in Suffolk that had not reported being bullied (since September 2020) had a higher well-being score than those that had been bullied: 44.3 compared to 38.0.
8. Local data for 2021 shows that the rate of first-time entrants aged 10-17 years to the youth justice system per 100,000 population in Suffolk was 164 (n=114), higher than the England average of 146 per 100,000.
9. An association between the time spent by children and young people looking at a screen -screen time – and the parent-children relationship was identified in a report by Healthwatch Suffolk. Those children and young people who reported higher levels of screen time were not only less likely to say that their parents were important for support with their mental health but also less likely to approach them for support.

1. Most people who experience mental ill health as adults had a first episode before the age of 24. Mental ill health in childhood can affect educational attainment and socialisation, further impacting adult life.
2. In 2021, in England, one in six (17.4%) of both 6 to 16 year olds and 17 to 19 year olds were likely to have a probable mental disorder, an increase (worsening) compared to 2017. This would suggest that, in 2021, around 21,000 children and young people in Suffolk (aged 6-19) had a probable mental health disorder. National survey data suggests hyperactivity and behavioural disorders are more prevalent in boys and young men, while girls and young women are more likely to experience emotional disorders.
3. Pre-pandemic national prevalence figures suggest that around 10,140 (between 9,050-11,500) children and young people aged 5-19 in Suffolk could have an emotional disorder (including anxiety, depression, bipolar).
4. Healthwatch Suffolk report that Suffolk young people’s wellbeing outcomes consistently appear poorer (lower) than national averages.
5. Suffolk emergency hospital admissions for self-harm in young people (aged 10-24 years) are significantly worse than the England rates, and the Suffolk trend is worsening (increasing). Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG, and Norfolk and Waveney CCG have rates significantly higher than England (West Suffolk CCG is statistically similar to England).
6. Children and young people with a mental disorder are more likely to be bullied and to bully others (online and in person).
7. Suffolk young people who identify as LGBT*Q+ tend to experience poorer wellbeing.
8. Children and young people with additional vulnerabilities (including having a mental health difficulty, receiving free school meals, being a carer or with experience of being in care) are more likely to report low resilience and lower wellbeing.

1. Suffolk has a statistically significantly lower proportion of babies who have a first feed of breast milk than England, and a statistically significantly higher rate of hospital admissions for babies aged under 14 days (this is often linked to problems with feeding). However, breastfeeding prevalence at 6-8 weeks is statistically significantly higher (better) than England.
2. Childhood immunisation data indicates Suffolk achieves the lower threshold of 90% coverage for all key immunisations for children aged five and under. Population vaccination coverage is significantly higher (better) than England for all childhood vaccines and immunisations. However, more needs to be done to meet the World Health Organisation target of 95% coverage which provides protection to wider society and can lead to disease elimination.
3. Asthma is the most common long-term condition among children and young people, with around 12,400 children aged 0-15 in Suffolk estimated to have the condition in 2020. Emergency hospital admissions for asthma in children aged 0-9 are statistically significantly higher (worse) than England.
4. Emergency hospital admissions for diabetes in children and young people (under 19) for Suffolk are significantly higher (worse) than England.
5. Despite performing better than England, more than one in five (21.6%) Reception Year children and nearly one in three (31.7%) Year 6 students in Suffolk are above the recommended healthy weight (overweight or obese).
6. Childhood obesity rates are around twice as high in the most deprived areas of Suffolk compared to the least deprived areas (Reception Year, children aged 4-5 and Year 6, children aged 10-11).
7. NHS dental services and hospital admissions have been affected by the pandemic, so the prevalence of tooth decay is probably underestimated in children in Suffolk. Unmet or unidentified demand would show as increased (worsening) prevalence of tooth decay (dental caries) in the data in future years.
8. Whilst A&E attendances for children and young people under one and 0-4 are statistically significantly lower (better) compared to England, emergency hospital admissions for babies under one year and children aged 0-4 years are significantly higher, as are rates of admission for unintentional and deliberate injures in 0-4 and 0-14 year olds.

Understanding how many children and young people live in Suffolk is vital when it comes to planning and providing services such as care for newborn babies, nursery places, education, apprenticeships, housing, and transport. Similarly, the health and wellbeing needs of local children and young people cannot be fully met or measured without first knowing how many there are, where they live, how many may need extra support, and how many there may be in the coming years. Information about the population of children and young people in Suffolk should be used to help improve access to services, as well as helping reduce differences in health outcomes between those who have the best and poorest health.

• With a total population of 768,555 as of mid-2022, Suffolk has a lower proportion of children and young people aged 0-24 (26.0%) compared to the national average of 29.1%.

• Projections indicate a 1.9% decrease in this age group (aged 0-24) by 2043, despite an overall population growth of 6.5%.

• The county's demographic profile shows less ethnic diversity among children and young people compared to England, with less than 1 in 5 (17.1%) from non-White British backgrounds compared to 1 in 3 (32.9%) nationally.

• Ethnic diversity varies significantly across the county, with Ipswich having the highest proportion (32.6%) of young people from ethnic minority groups.

(updated 2024)

• COVID-19 restrictions have affected the provision of 0 to 19 services, necessitating virtual contacts or the suspension of some services. Developmental delays, perinatal mental health issues, safeguarding concerns, or the detection of early warning signs of vulnerability may require enhanced risk management processes and caseload assessments to prioritise families with greater needs.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, with evidence showing multiple service professionals reporting significant impacts on school readiness, particularly in areas such as personal development and communication skills, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these pandemic-related setbacks.

Engagement with children and young people during the pandemic

• Whilst COVID-19 restrictions led to some positive experiences (such as spending more time with carers), young people also reported a range of negative experiences including missing family and friends, increased arguments at home, and concerns about the health of loved ones.
• Anxiety, fear, worry and poor mental health were common in the feedback from children and young people during the pandemic.
• Children and young people were concerned about the impact of the lockdowns on their future. However, lockdowns also gave some young people time to reflect and reconsider what was important to them. This included study or career choices, as well as religious belief and personal identity.

(updated 2024)

My Health, Our Future

Healthwatch Suffolk conducted phase 7 of the My Health, Our Future (MHOF) survey in 2023, analysing the wellbeing of more than 13,000 young people (primarily high school and college students between Years 7-13) in Suffolk.

Mental wellbeing and anxiety

• Young people's wellbeing in Suffolk has improved from record lows in 2021-2022 but remains below the national average
• 29% of students who described their gender other than male or female, and 19% of LGBTQ+ students had low wellbeing scores
• 37% of students reported moderate to severe anxiety levels, higher among females (47%), LGBTQ+ (62%), and those with additional support needs (54%)

Cost of living Impact

• 24% were worried/very worried about the rising cost of living impacting them and their families
• Top concerns were affording social activities (26%), school trips (25%), and having proper technology/uniform

Healthy lifestyles

• 12% of students vape, higher among females (12% vs 8% males), those with additional needs (16%), and certain ethnic groups
• Only 17% of year 9+ students were aware of the local sexual health service provided at the time of survey (called iCaSH)

The My Health, Our Future report highlights several areas where additional support is required, such as increasing mental health awareness, providing counselling, improving relationship/sex education, and ensuring access to nutritious food and extracurricular activities. Findings from MHOF can inform strategies to enhance young people's wellbeing in Suffolk (Healthwatch Suffolk 2023).

Find out more about My Health, Our Future by visiting the dedicated pages on the Healthwatch Suffolk website.

(updated 2024)