The Department for Education (DfE) has published data from the vulnerable children and young people survey of local authorities in England looking at the impact of the coronavirus on children’s social care. Wave 19, from 11 January – 07 February 2021, shows that: the number of looked after children and young people was 2% higher than the same time in 2019/20; and the total number of referrals during wave 19 was 23% lower than the usual number at that time of year.