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Children Topic Data

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Experiences in a child’s early years lay a foundation for health and wellbeing and our services for children and families have an important role in building future resilience.

By identifying those most at risk of poorer outcomes later on, our resources can be targeted where they are needed most so that we can respond to risk and vulnerability.

The number of 0-4 year olds is expected to decrease by about 700, while the number of 5-15 year olds is projected to decrease by about 5,100 between 2023 and 20331.

Download this report (PDF)

Special Educational Need3

The percentage of children with Special Educational Need has increased in Dorset each year since 2017. The figure has increased from 17.8% in 2021 to 19.5% in 2022. The percentage with either a statement or an EHC Plan has increased every year since 2016. There has been a more pronounced increase since 2019 where the data has risen from 3.2% to 4.9% in 2022.

  • One in four of pupils with an EHC plan has an Autistic Spectrum Condition and just over one in five have speech, language and communication needs.
  • It is likely that a pupil may have more than one special educational need.
  • 61% of pupils with an EHC Plan are educated in Mainstream Schools in Dorset.
  • 72% of Dorset Council School Pupils with an EHC are boys and 60% with SEN Support are boys. This is very similar to the national picture. The proportion or girls with SEN is increasing.
SEN Pupils in Dorset Council Schools
SEN Pupils in Dorset Council Schools

Education3

  • In 2023 66% of pupils achieved a ‘Good Level of Development’ at the end of Reception year, a decrease of 6% on 2019 the figure was very similar to the national figures.
  • 63% of pupils achieved the ‘Basics’ measure (standard pass or higher in English and Maths GCSE). Of those on Free School Meals this figure is 20% lower at 43%.
  • 20% of pupils are eligible to claim Free School Meals, compared to the national average of 24%4.
Percentage of Pupils GCSE pass English and Maths 2022-23
Percentage of Pupils GCSE pass English and Maths 2022-23

Post 16 opportunities4

  • The percentage of 16 and 17 year olds in Dorset in education or training in 2023 was 90.6% this figure is much the same as for the South West 90.5% but lower than England 92.3%.
  • Accessing services is a considerable issue in rural Dorset, approximately 44% of Dorset residents fall within the top 20% most geographically access deprived in England for accessing a range of services including schools.
  • Travel time in minutes to nearest further education college by public transport/walking in Dorset is 31 minutes which is in the top 10 highest of any Unitary Authority in England. This compares to 21 minutes for England and 25 minutes for the South West.
  • However, apprenticeship rates in Dorset at a ‘Higher’ level are strong with 1,922 participation rate for under 19s per 100,000 population. This compares to a figure of 382 for the South West and 332 for England. It is in fact the highest of any Unitary Authority in the country.
  • There are two levels of a ‘Higher’ apprenticeship Level 4 and Level 5:
    • Level 4 apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, or a Higher National Certificate.
    • Level 5 apprenticeships are equivalent to a foundation degree, or a Higher National Diploma.

Headline Figures

66,100

Total children2, 3

1.7%

Primary school children with a SEN or EHC plan

465

Children and young people in care in Dorset

70

Looked after children in every 10,000 in Dorset

61%

Pupils with an EHC Plan educated in mainstream schools

18%

Percentage of pupils achieving 9-5 in English and Maths (Free School Meals Gap)

Headline Figures

66,100

Total children2, 3

1.7%

Primary school children with a SEN or EHC plan

465

Children and young people in care in Dorset

70

Looked after children in every 10,000 in Dorset

61%

Pupils with an EHC Plan educated in mainstream schools

18%

Percentage of pupils achieving 9-5 in English and Maths (Free School Meals Gap)

Sources

  • 1 2020-trend based population projections (experimental), Dorset Council
  • 2 2021 Census, 0-17 year-olds, ONS
  • 3 Dorset Council, Children’s Services
  • 4 Local Government Inform 2022/23

34 Reports

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16 Related Datasets

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  • 2020 Mid-Year Estimates, Unitary Authority, Historical District and above

    Published: 27 July 2021

    Annual Mid-Year Estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics

    Downloads: 719

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  • 2019 Ward Level Population Estimates

    Published: 23 December 2020

    2019 Office for National Statistics Experimental Population Estimates for Dorset wards

    Downloads: 1375

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  • Births Deaths and Natural Change by Country and Local Authority

    Published: 08 December 2020

    Local Authority births, deaths and natural change from Mid-Years 2002 to 2019

    Downloads: 871

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  • 2019 LSOA Level Mid-Year Estimates

    Published: 08 December 2020

    2019 Population estimates for Lower Super Output Area Geographies in Dorset

    Downloads: 1133

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  • Internal Migration for Mid-Years 2002-2019

    Published: 08 December 2020

    Internal Migration by 5 year age group for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council

    Downloads: 963

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  • 2018 based ONS Population Projections for Dorset

    Published: 07 July 2020

    2018 based Office for National Statistics Sub National Population Projections for current and former Dorset geographies in five year age groups.

    Downloads: 1407

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  • 2018 Parish Level Mid Year Population Estimates

    Published: 23 March 2020

    2018 best fit Output Area population to parish geography for all persons by five year age groups.

    Downloads: 1206

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019- National and Dorset Council Ranks

    Published: 03 January 2020

    The English Indices of Deprivation helps identify and prioritise areas to assist the government and other agencies both national and local in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

    Downloads: 1945

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset East Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset East SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1554

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset West Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset West SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 2087

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Mid Dorset Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Mid Dorset SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1735

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - South East Dorset Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across South East Dorset SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 2156

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset North Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset North SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1844

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset South Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset South SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1421

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset Council Maps

    Published: 25 November 2019

    The combined map base pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation (IMD) map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture for Dorset. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1153

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  • Local Area Interactive Tool

    Published: 28 February 2016

    An interactive spreadsheet for comparing data about children and young people across all local authorities in England. (external website)

    Downloads: 3165

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