characteristic

number

percent

Reporting year 2023

National table showing characteristic information for children looked after on 31 March.

A1 - Children looked after on 31 March by gender, age on 31 March, category of need, ethnic origin, legal status and motherhood status, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing placement information for children looked after on 31 March.

A2 - Children looked after on 31 March by placement, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing characteristic information for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) looked after on 31 March.

A3 - Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children looked after on 31 March by gender, age on 31 March, category of need and ethnic origin, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for each placement type, the numbers of children placed 20 miles or less, or more than 20 miles from home, and whether the child was placed within the LA boundary.

A4 - Children looked after on 31 March by distance between home and placement and locality of placement, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for each placement type, whether the child was placed inside or outside the LA boundary, by the type of provider (LA/Private/Voluntary etc).

A5 - Children looked after on 31 March by placement, placement location and placement provider, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing characteristic information (gender, age, placement type and ethnic origin) for children looked after during the year and children looked after during the year ending 31 March for at least 12 months

B1 - Children looked after at any time during the year ending 31 March and those looked after continuously for at least 12 months on 31 March, in England, 2018 to 2021

New placements for children looked after during the year, by whether the placement was 20 miles or less, or over 20 miles from home, whether the placement was inside or outside the LA boundary and by type of placement.

B2 - Number of new placements for children looked after during the year by locality of placement and distance between home and placement, in England, 2018 to 2021

National  table showing for all  placements ending in the year, their duration.

B3 - Duration of placements ceasing during the year ending 31 March, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing the reason why a placement has changed during the year

B4 - Reason for placement change for children who moved placements in the year, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing characteristic information for children starting to be looked after during the year.

C1 - Children who started to be looked after during the years ending 31 March by gender, age on starting, category of need, ethnic origin, legal status and previous permanence arrangement, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing placement information for children starting to be looked after during the year.

C2 - Children who started to be looked after during the years ending 31 March by placement, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing characteristic information for children ceasing to be looked after during the year.

D1 - Children who ceased to be looked after during the year ending 31 March by gender, age on ceasing, reason episode ceased, legal status, category of need and ethnic origin, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing placement information for children ceasing to be looked after during the year.

D2 - Children who ceased to be looked after during the years ending 31 March by placement on ceasing, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for those ceasing to be looked after in the year, how long their latest period of care was and what the average duration of latest period of care was.

D3 - Children who ceased to be looked after during the years ending 31 March by duration of latest period of care and average duration of latest period of care in days, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for those ceasing to be looked after in the year, how many periods of care they had and how many placements they had, by age.

D4 - Children who ceased to be looked after during the year ending 31 March by number of periods of care in care history, number of placements in period of care and age on ceasing, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing information on children who were adopted in the year.

E1 - Children looked after who were adopted during the years ending 31 March by gender, age at adoption, ethnic origin, category of need, final legal status, duration of final period of care and age on starting final period of care, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for children who have been adopted during the year how long each stage has taken.

E2 - Children looked after who were adopted during the year ending 31 March by average time between the different stages of the adoption process and age at start of period of care, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing for children who have been adopted in the year, whether they were adopted by one or two persons, and whether the adopter(s) were single, unmarried, married or had a civil partnership.

E3 - Children looked after who were adopted during the years ending 31 March by number of adopters, legal status of adopters and by gender of adopters, in England, 2018 to 2021

National tables showing information on children for who the local authority has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption.

E4 - Children for whom the local authority has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption, those placed and waiting for adoption and children where the decision to be placed for adoption has been reversed, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing information on children who were the subject of a special guardianship order in the year.

E5 - Children looked after who were the subject of a special guardianship order during the years ending 31 March by gender, age on ceasing to be looked after, ethnic origin, category of need, final legal status, duration of final period of care and age on starting final period of care, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing the number of care leavers who were formerly unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, by age.

F1 & F3 - Care leavers now aged 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old by former UASC status, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing whether the local authority was in touch with the care leaver, what activity the care leaver was doing around their birthday and the care leavers gender.

F1 & F3 - Care leavers now aged 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old by gender, contact with the local authority and activity, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing the type of accommodation the care leaver is in around their birthday.

F2 & F4 - Care leavers now aged 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old by accommodation, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing whether the accommodation the care leaver is in around their birthday is deemed to be suitable or unsuitable accommodation.

F2 & F4 - Care leavers now aged 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old by suitability of accommodation, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing the numbers of care leavers leaving a foster placement and staying with their former foster carers.

F2 & F4 - Young people aged 18, 19 and 20 who ceased to be looked after in a foster placement on their 18th birthday, were eligible for care leavers support and who were living with their former foster carer, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing incidents and number of children away from placement without authorisation during the year, including breakdowns by age, duration of missing incident and placement type.

G1 - OFFICIAL STATISTICS - Children looked after who were away from placement without authorisation, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing incidents and number of children missing during the year, including breakdowns by age, duration of missing incident and placement type.

G1 - OFFICIAL STATISTICS - Children looked after who were missing, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table showing a time series of key children looked after population counts.

H1 - Children looked after on 31 March, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children on 31 March, and children who started, ceased and were adopted during the years ending 31 March, in England, 1994 to 2021

National table for children looked after at least 12 months on 31 March each year, the number aged 10 years and over who were the subject of a caution or youth conditional caution during the year.

I1 - Offending by children who have been looked after continuously for at least twelve months, by age and gender, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table for children looked after at least 12 months on 31 March each year, whether the child had a substance misuse problem and whether they received an intervention.

I2 - Substance misuse by children who have been looked after continuously for at least twelve months, by age and gender, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table for children looked after at least 12 months on 31 March each year, whether their immunisations were up to date, whether their teeth had been checked by a dentist and whether their health assessment had been carried out in the year.

I3 - Health care of children who have been looked after continuously for at least twelve months, by age and gender, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table for children looked after at least 12 months on 31 March each year, aged 4 years or under, whether their development assessments are up to date during the year.

I4 - Development assessments for children aged 4 or under who have been looked after continuously for at least twelve months, by age and gender, in England, 2018 to 2021

National table for children looked after at least 12 months on 31 March each year, whether they had a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) carried out and the score.

I5 - Emotional and behavioural health of looked after children children looked after on 31 March for whom a strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) was received, in England, 2018 to 2021

LA level table showing children looked after exclusively under a series of short-term placements (respite) during the year.

LA - Children looked after exclusively under a series of short-term placements, England, 2018 to 2021

LA level table showing for each LA, the number of children on 31 March who are the responsibility of that LA but are placed outside the LA boundary, the number of children who are the responsibility of another LA but are placed within this LAs boundary and the net gain.

LA - Children looked after on 31 March by LA of placement and net gain, in England, 2018 to 2021 

LA level table showing numbers of UASC in each local authority on 31 March and the percentage they make up of children looked after in that local authority.

LA - Children looked after on 31 March who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) during the year, by local authority, in England, 2018 to 2021

LA level table showing the  two indicators of placement stability.

LA - Children looked after on 31 March with three or more placements during the year, or aged under 16 at 31 March who had been looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years and who were living in the same placement for at least 2 years, England, 2018 to 2021

LA table showing numbers and rates per 10,000 young people, for children looked after on 31 March, children starting to be looked after and children ceasing to be looked after

LA - Children looked after on 31 March, children starting to be looked after and children who ceased to be looked after during the year by local authority, in England, 2018 to 2021

Local authority level data on care leavers aged 17 to 21, by accommodation type (as measured on or around their birthday).For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Care leavers accommodation  - LA

Care leavers aged 17 to 21, by accommodation type (as measured on or around their birthday). Data formerly &nbsp;in tables F2 and F4.

Care leavers accommodation - NATIONAL

Local authority level data on care leavers, aged 17 to 21, by activity (as measured on or around their birthday).For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Care leavers activity - LA

Care leavers, aged 17 to 21, by activity (as measured on or around their birthday). Data formerly in tables F1 and F3.

Care leavers activity - NATIONAL

Local authority level data on care leavers, aged 17 to 21, by whether their accommodation is deemed to be suitable.&nbsp;For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Care leavers by whether their accommodation is suitable - LA

Care leavers, aged 17 to 21, by whether their accommodation is deemed to be suitable. Data formerly in tables F2 and F4.

Care leavers by whether their accommodation is suitable - NATIONAL

Local authority level data on care leavers, aged 17 to 21, by whether the LA was in touch (as measured on or around their birthday).For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Care leavers in contact with the responsible authority - LA

Young people aged 18, 19 and 20 who ceased to be looked after in a foster placement on their 18th birthday, were eligible for care leavers support and who were living with their former foster carer.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Care leavers who left foster care aged 18 and were eligible for care leaver support (Staying put ) LA

Young people aged 18, 19 and 20 who ceased to be looked after in a foster placement on their 18th birthday, were eligible for care leavers support and who were living with their former foster carer. Data formerly in table F2 and F4.

Care leavers who left foster care aged 18 and were eligible for care leaver support (Staying put) - NATIONAL

Care leavers, aged 17 to 21, who were formerly unaccompanied asylum seeking children, by gender. Data formerly in table F1 and F3.

Care leavers who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children who ceased to be looked after during the year by:<ul><li>age group</li><li>gender</li><li>reason episode ceased.</li></ul>For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA ceasing during the year by characteristics - LA

Children who ceased to be looked after during the year by gender, age on ceasing, reason episode ceased, legal status, category of need, ethnicity, placement and duration of latest period of care. Data formerly in tables D1, D2 and D3.

CLA ceasing during the year by characteristics - NATIONAL

Children who ceased to be looked after during the year by number of periods of care, number of placements and age on ceasing. Data formerly in tables D4.

CLA ceasing during the year by number of periods of care, number of placement and age on ceasing - NATIONAL

Children looked after at any time during the year, and those looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 31 March, by age, ethnicity, gender and placement type. Data formerly in table B1.

CLA during the year and on 31 March for at least 12 months by characteristics - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children looked after during the year by placement locality by reason for placement change.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA during the year by characteristics - LA

Number of new placements for children looked after during the year by locality of placement and distance between home and placement. Data formerly in table B2.

CLA during the year by placement type, distance and locality  - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children looked after at any time during the year ending 31 March who were only looked after exclusively under a series of short term placements.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA during the year who were looked after exclusively under a series of short term placements - LA

Children looked after at 31 March for at least 12 months, by OC2 indicators. These are:<ul><li>Whether the child was convicted or subject to youth cautions, or youth conditional cautions during the year</li><li>Whether the child was identified as having a substance misuse problem, and if so, if they were offered an intervention and if they refused it</li><li>Whether the child had their annual health assessment</li><li>Whether the child had their immunisations up to date</li><li>Whether the child had their teeth checked by a dentist</li><li>If the child is under 5 years whether their development assessments are up to date</li><li>Information on Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores &nbsp;</li></ul>Data formerly in tables I1 , I2, I3, I4, I5a and I5b.

CLA for 12 months, convictions and health outcomes  - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children looked after at 31 March for at least 12 months, by OC2 indicators. These are:<ul><li>Whether the child was convicted or subject to youth cautions, or youth conditional cautions during the year</li><li>Whether the child was identified as having a substance misuse problem, and if so, if they were offered an intervention and if they refused it.</li><li>Whether the child had their annual health assessment</li><li>Whether the child had their immunisations up to date</li><li>Whether the child had their teeth checked by a dentist</li><li>If the child is under 5 years whether their development assessments are up to date</li><li>Information on Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores</li></ul>For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA for 12 months, convictions and health outcomes - LA

Local authority level data for:<ul><li>Children looked after at 31 March</li><li>Children who started to be looked after during the year</li><li>Children who ceased to be looked after during the year &nbsp;</li></ul>Data includes numbers of looked after children, population and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years. Data formerly in tables LAA1, LAC1, LAD1.Note: Figures for children looked after during the year can be found in the LA dataset on children who have gone missing or who are away from placement without authorisation.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA numbers and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years - LA

Local authority level data for children looked after at 31 March by:<ul><li>age group</li><li>category of need</li><li>distance between home and placement</li><li>distance between home and placement and locality of&nbsp;placement</li><li>ethnicity</li><li>gender</li><li>legal status</li><li>local authority of placement</li><li>locality of placement</li><li>placement type</li><li>placement provider</li><li>numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.</li></ul>For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA on 31 March by characteristics - LA

Children looked after at 31 March each year, by gender, age group (on 31 March), primary need, ethnicity, legal status, motherhood status, placement type (on 31 March) and number of placements during the year (placement stability). Data formerly in table A1 and A2.

CLA on 31 March by characteristics - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children looked after on 31 March by numbers the LA places outside their LA and numbers other LAs place within the LA.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA on 31 March by LA of placement net gain - LA

Children looked after at 31 March by placement type, placement location (inside or outside the council boundary) and placement provider. Data formerly in table A5.

CLA on 31 March by placement provider, placement type and locality - NATIONAL

Children looked after at 31 March each year by distance between home and placement, by placement type and by locality of placement (placed 20 miles or less from home, or more than 20 miles from home). Data formerly in table A4.

CLA on 31 March by placement type, distance and locality of placement - NATIONAL

Children looked after at 31 March each year who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, by gender, age group (at 31 March), primary need and ethnicity. Data formerly in table A3.

CLA on 31 March who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children - NATIONAL

Local authority level data on children looked after at 31 March with three of more placements during the year, or aged under 16 at 31 March who had been looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years and who were living in the same placement for at least 2 years.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA on 31 March with three or more placements during the year, or aged under 16 on 31 March who had been looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years and who were living in the same placement for at least 2 years - LA

National monthly data on the number of children starting and ceasing to be looked after during the year ending 31 March 2021, and comparative monthly three-year averages of 2018 to 2020.

CLA starting and ceasing during the year by month - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children who started to be looked after during the year by:<ul><li>age group</li><li>&nbsp;category of need</li><li>&nbsp;gender</li><li>&nbsp;legal status</li><li>&nbsp;numbers taken into care</li></ul>For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA starting during the year by characteristics - LA

Children who started to be looked after during the year, by gender, age on starting, category of need, ethnicity, legal status, previous permanence and placement type. Data formerly in tables C1 and C2.

CLA starting during the year by characteristics - NATIONAL

Children looked after who were adopted during the year ending 31 March by average time between the different stages of the adoption process and age at start of period of care. Data formerly in table E2.

CLA who were adopted - average time between the different stages of the adoption process - NATIONAL

Information on children for whom the local authority has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption. Data formerly in E4.

CLA who were adopted - children for whom the local authority has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption - NATIONAL

Children looked after who were adopted in the year, by gender, age group at adoption, age at starting final period of care, primary need, ethnicity, duration of final period of care and final legal status. Data formerly in table E1.Note: Age group at adoption and age at starting final period of care include an average age value; duration of final period of care includes an average duration. These values are in the 'Number' indicator but are in the format (years:month).

CLA who were adopted - NATIONAL

Children looked after who were adopted during the years ending 31 March by number of adopters, legal status of adopters and by gender of adopters. Data formerly in table E3.

CLA who were adopted - number, gender and legal status of adopters - NATIONAL

Local authority level data for children ceasing to be looked after through an adoption or a special guardianship order.&nbsp;Adoption figures are split by:<ul><li>adoption - application unopposed</li><li>adoption - consent dispensed with</li></ul>Special guardianship order figures are split by:<ul><li>made to former foster carer, relative or friend</li><li>made to &nbsp;former foster carer, other than relative or friend</li><li>made to carer, other than former foster carer, relative or friend</li><li>made to carer, other than former foster carer, other than relative or friend</li></ul>For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

CLA who were adopted and who were the subject of a special guardianship order - LA

Children looked after who were the subject of a special guardianship order (SGO) in the year, by gender, age group at SGO, age at starting final period of care, primary need, ethnicity, duration of final period of care and final legal status. Data formerly in table E5.Note: Age group at SGO and age at starting final period of care include an average age value; duration of final period of care includes an average duration. These values are in the 'Number' indicator but are in the format (years:month).

CLA who were the subject of a special guardianship order - NATIONAL

Duration of placement ceasing during the year, by placement type. Data formerly in table B3.

Duration of placements by type ceasing during the year - NATIONAL

Headline figures for the statistical release.

Headline figures - NATIONAL

Note: These statistics are published as Official Statistics. Users should be cautious making comparisons between local authorities, or across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document for further information.Children looked after who were &nbsp;away from their placement without authorisation. Figures by duration of &nbsp;period away from their placement&nbsp;without authorisation, placement &nbsp;and age of child at the start of the incident. Data formerly in table G1.

Official Statistics - CLA who were away from placement without authorisation - NATIONAL

Note: These statistics are published as Official Statistics. Users should be cautious making comparisons between local authorities, or across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document for further information.Children looked after who were missing. Figures by duration of missing periods, placement from which the child went missing and age of child at start of missing incident. Data formerly in table G1.

Official Statistics - CLA who were missing from placement  - NATIONAL

Note: These statistics are published as Official Statistics. Users should be cautious making comparisons between local authorities, or across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document for further information.Children looked after who were missing or away from placement without authorisation. Data formerly in table LAG1.For some local authorities, such as Kent or Croydon, the figures may be impacted by significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Official Statistics - CLA who were missing or away from placement without authorisation - LA

Reason for placement change for children who moved placements in the year. Includes breakdowns by gender, age, placement type, duration of placement and category of need. Data formerly in table B4.

Reason for placement change during the year of CLA by characteristics - NATIONAL

National time series - 1994 to 2021. Covering:&nbsp;<ul><li>Children looked after at 31 March&nbsp;</li><li>Children who started to be looked after in the year&nbsp;</li><li>Children who ceased to be looked after in the year&nbsp;</li><li>Children looked after who were adopted&nbsp;</li><li>Children looked after at 31 March who were unaccompanied asylum seeking children&nbsp;</li></ul>Data was formerly in table H1.&nbsp;

Time series of CLA data - 1994 to 2021 - NATIONAL

Including children in need and child protection, children looked after and social work workforce statistics

Children's social care

Children in need and child protection

Children looked after

Children's social work workforce

Outcomes for children in social care

Secure children's homes

Serious incident notifications

Including Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

COVID-19

Attendance

CO2 monitors

Confirmed cases reported by Higher Education providers

Devices

Testing

Including not in education, employment or training (NEET) statistics

Destination of pupils and students

Destinations of key stage 4 and 16-18 pupils

NEET and participation

Including early years foundation stage profile and early years surveys statistics

Early years

Childcare and early years

Early years foundation stage profile

Early years surveys

Including local authority (LA) and student loan statistics

Finance and funding

Local authority and school finance

Student loan forecasts

Including advanced learner loan, benefit claimant and apprenticeship and traineeship statistics

Further education

Further education and skills

Further education outcomes

Further education workforce

Including university graduate employment, graduate labour market and participation statistics

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2018	2019	2020	2021
	Number				Percentage
Total	30,050	29,570	29,710	28,010	100%	100%	100%	100%
1. Under 2 weeks	2,860	2,460	2,330	1,700	10%	8%	8%	6%
2. From 2 weeks to under 8 weeks	2,180	2,010	1,860	1,650	7%	7%	6%	6%
3. From 8 weeks to under 6 months	5,330	4,830	4,390	3,520	18%	16%	15%	13%
4. From 6 months to under 1 year	5,170	5,370	5,610	5,160	17%	18%	19%	18%
5. From 1 year to under 2 years	5,640	5,630	5,930	6,050	19%	19%	20%	22%
6. From 2 years to under 3 years	2,940	2,990	3,010	3,000	10%	10%	10%	11%
7. From 3 years to under 5 years	2,320	2,480	2,720	2,820	8%	8%	9%	10%
8. From 5 years to under 10 years	2,320	2,540	2,540	2,690	8%	9%	9%	10%
9. 10 years and over	1,300	1,270	1,330	1,430	4%	4%	4%	5%
Average duration of last period of care (days)	770	807	829	908	z	z	z	z

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