Born into care: Associations between area-level deprivation and the rates of children entering care proceedings in Wales

•Economic deprivation of Welsh neighbourhoods is associated with higher rates of children in care.•Infants are at a far higher risk of appearing in care proceedings in Wales than older children.•S.31 cases involving children cluster in deprived urban areas in Wales, but far less in rural areas.•Tackling area-level deprivation may help reduce children’s risk of appearing in care proceedings.•Spend for family support is higher in deprived areas, as councils try to accommodate the higher need.