The socio-economic context children grow up in is extremely important to their wellbeing. Research has shown that families in deprived areas are more likely to also struggle with family disruption. This podcast, hosted by Dr Laura Cowley, presents research findings on associations between area-deprivation, child social care expenditure and the numbers of children entering s31 care proceedings in local authorities in England and Wales. It draws from work by Dr Stefanie Doebler, Prof Karen Broadhurst, Dr Bachar Alrouh and Dr Linda Cusworth in the Nuffield Family Justice Data Partnership.