Headline statistics

Looked After Children

• On 31 July 2023, 12,206 children were looked after – down 2% since 31 July 2022 (12,447) and down 24% since 2012-13 (16,032).
• A total of 2,466 looked after children were looked after at home on 31 July 2023. This accounts for 20% of looked after children, down 5% on 31 July 2022 and down 48% on 2012-13.
• On 31 July 2023, the most common placements away from home were kinship care (34%), foster care (32%), and residential accommodation (11%).
• During 2022-23, 3,004 children started to be looked after – down 1% since 2021-22 (3,037) and down 33% since 2012-13 (4,470).
• A total of 3,286 children ceased to be looked after during 2022-23 – down 12% since 2021-22 (3,730) and down 31% since 2012-13 (4,731).

Continuing Care

• During 2022-23, 911 young people aged 16 years or over ceased to be looked after and were eligible for Continuing Care. Of these, 29% (261) entered Continuing Care.
• On 31 July 2023, 777 young people were in Continuing Care – up 12% since 31 July 2022 (696). This is 17% of those eligible for Continuing Care (4,582)..

Aftercare

• On 31 July 2023, 8,517 young people were eligible for aftercare services – up 5% on 31 July 2022 (8,132).
• 4,151 (49% of those eligible) were receiving aftercare services on 31 July 2023 – up 1% on 31 July 2022 (4,108). 
• The proportion of young people receiving an aftercare service of all those eligible fell by 20 percentage points from 69% in 2013 to 49% in 2023.