The 2025 State of Childhood Vulnerability Report

The Centre for Young Lives' new report, The 2025 State of Childhood Vulnerability, (25th July 2025) warns that the Covid-19 pandemic is still having a severe and lasting impact on children in England. Key findings include:

• Rising poverty and instability: More children are living in poverty and temporary accommodation than before the pandemic.

• Increased needs and challenges: There has been a sharp rise in school absences, exclusions, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and mental health issues among children and young people.

• Broken promises: Despite early political commitments to "build back better" with children at the centre, support has been piecemeal and undermined by past cuts to early intervention services.

• Invisible children: Many of the most vulnerable children remain uncounted in data and receive little or no support.

• Urgent call for reform: The report stresses the need for better data, investment in early help, and systemic reform to prevent long-term social and economic harm.

Baroness Anne Longfield and policy lead Connie Muttock both emphasise that without targeted action and renewed commitment, a whole generation of children risks being left behind.

Read the report.

Safeguarding Network resources are designed to help you in your setting from the earliest years to school and care leavers.