Children looked after in England including adoptions
Data guidance
Published
Description
This document describes the data included in the ‘Children looked after in England including adoptions: 2024 to 2025’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in new tab)and is intended to meet at least three stars for Open Data (opens in new tab).
The methodology document for this subject should be referenced alongside this release. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality and how the data is produced.
This data is based upon information collected in the SSDA903 (CLA) data collection. It is a child level dataset collected from local authorities in England annually. The data includes information on:
children looked after on 31 March in each year, including unaccompanied asylum seeking children
children looked after at any time
children who started to be looked after
children who ceased to be looked after
children looked after who were adopted
care leavers now aged 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old
care leavers now aged 22, 23, 24 and 25 years old (from 2023 onwards)
children who went missing or away from placement without authorisation
stability (of placements, schools and social workers)
The longitudinal nature of the collection means historical information can be amended each year, so we update all time series figures published in each release. Unless otherwise stated, numbers and percentage exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.
Users of the data should consider the following:
for some local authorities, the figures may be impacted by large numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and their distinctive characteristics
from April 2021 Northamptonshire split into two local authorities, ‘North Northamptonshire’ and ‘West Northamptonshire’
from April 2023 Cumbria split into two local authorities, ‘Westmoreland and Furness’ and ‘Cumberland’
There may be a small amount of double counting in start and ceased figures as some children cease to be looked after in one local authority as their care transfers to another local authority. For non-unaccompanied asylum-seeking children this number is fairly consistent each year, however as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are more likely to have their care transferred, the number of children transferring has increased as the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children has increased. See the methodology document for further information.
Information on children who are missing or who are away from their placement without authorisation are published as Official Statistics. Users should refer to the methodology guide when using this data and should be cautious interpreting any figures across years or between local authorities due to differing practices. Hackney did not provide any missing or away without authorisation data in 2021.
Information on the school and social worker stability of children are published as Official Statistics. The latest published data for school stability is for CLA on 31 March 2024 and can be found in the 2024 publication. This will be updated in June 2026. The latest published data for social worker stability is for CLA on 31 March 2024 and can be found in the publication ‘Stability measures for children looked after in England’. Users should refer to the methodology guide when using this data.
Care leaver data is reported in two distinct groups; young people aged 17-21 years old and young people aged 22-25 years old. For care leavers aged 17-21 years old, the local authority has a duty to be in touch and support the young person. For care leavers aged 22-25 years old, the local authority is expected to provide support if the young person choses to contact them and requests support. Users should be cautious when drawing conclusions from the data for 22-25 year olds as the activity/accommodation data is only available for those young people who contacted the LA and requested and received support. For older care leavers, this cohort may be small.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people, before 28 October 2023, who were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people in placements from 28 April 2023 onwards at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline. Former semi-independent and former independent living providers who did not submit a completed application that was accepted by Ofsted by the end of 27 October 2023 who continued to provide placements are classified as ‘Other placements’ from 28 October 2023 onwards.
File formats and conventions
Rounding and suppression
National and regional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Local authority figures are unrounded.
Where any number is shown as zero, the original figure submitted was zero.
The following symbols have been used in the release:
‘c’ to protect confidentiality. Secondary suppression may have been applied
‘z’ for not applicable
‘x’ for not available
‘k’ used for a value that would round to zero but is not zero, for example where a percentage is <0.5%
For percentages:
where the numerator or denominator is small then the figure is replaced by ‘c’
they may not sum to 100% due to rounding
they are rounded to whole numbers
Also in the release:
the average duration for adoptions (formerly table E2) are rounded to the nearest month and are shown in the format yy:mm
the average number of missing or away without authorisation incidents (formerly in table G1) have been rounded to one decimal place.
Data files
All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.
CLA on 31 March - characteristics
Filename
national_cla_on_31_march_by_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
CLA on 31 March, by sex, age group (on 31 March), primary need, ethnicity, legal status, motherhood status and placement type (on 31 March). Note: The number of placements during the year can be found in: 'CLA on 31 March by placement stability'.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
FFA relates to Fostering for Adoption. Foster placements 'not FFA or concurrent planning' include children in long term foster placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
In 2025 there were 13 secure homes in England, therefore most placements will inevitably be outside the council boundary.
Percentages for all mothers aged 12 or over looked after at 31 March are the number of looked after mothers aged 12 and over as a percentage of all looked after females aged 12 and over.
The category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/ supported accommodation' reports data for young people in placements in former semi-independent living arrangements and living independently up to and including 2023. From 2024 all placements are supported accommodation (registered with Ofsted). From 28 October 2023 it became illegal for young people to be placed in former semi independent and independent living placements. Supported accommodation providers were required to submit a completed application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023. From 2024, young people who were placed in former semi independent and independent living placements with providers who had not submitted a completed application by the deadline are reported within the 'Other' category.
CLA on 31 March, excluding UASC. Figures split by sex, age group (on 31 March), primary need, ethnicity, legal status and motherhood status.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
Percentages for all mothers aged 12 or over looked after at 31 March are the number of looked after mothers aged 12 and over as a percentage of all looked after females aged 12 and over.
CLA on 31 March each year who were UASC, by sex, age group (on 31 March), primary need, placement type and ethnicity.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
The category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/ supported accommodation' reports data for young people in placements in former semi-independent living arrangements and living independently up to and including 2023. From 2024 all placements are supported accommodation (registered with Ofsted). From 28 October 2023 it became illegal for young people to be placed in former semi independent and independent living placements. Supported accommodation providers were required to submit a completed application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023. From 2024, young people who were placed in former semi independent and independent living placements with providers who had not submitted a completed application by the deadline are reported within the 'Other' category.
Secure children's homes provide a safe place where very vulnerable children and young people can receive the care, support and education they need. Beds within secure children's homes are either contracted to the Youth Custody Service (YCS), or are available to local authorities (LAs) for welfare or criminal justice placements.
CLA on 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).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Distance and locality
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
placement
Type of placement
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Placement locality denotes whether or not the placement is within the geographical boundary of the responsible LA.
Distance is the distance in miles between the child's home and placement. In some cases this is not known, for example UASC, or not recorded for confidentiality reasons, such as some children placed for adoption.
The category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/ supported accommodation' reports data for young people in placements in former semi-independent living arrangements and living independently up to and including 2023. From 2024 all placements are supported accommodation (registered with Ofsted). From 28 October 2023 it became illegal for young people to be placed in former semi independent and independent living placements. Supported accommodation providers were required to submit a completed application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023. From 2024, young people who were placed in former semi independent and independent living placements with providers who had not submitted a completed application by the deadline are reported within the 'Other' category.
CLA on 31 March by placement type, placement location (inside or outside the council boundary) and placement provider.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
placement_provider
Placement provider
placement_type
Placement type
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Placement locality denotes whether or not the placement is within the geographical boundary of the responsible LA.
Placement provider is not applicable for children placed with parents. Placement provider not reported includes children placed under other (unspecified) placements and some children placed for adoption (where information may be withheld to protect the whereabouts of the child)
The category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/ supported accommodation' reports data for young people in placements in former semi-independent living arrangements and living independently up to and including 2023. From 2024 all placements are supported accommodation (registered with Ofsted). From 28 October 2023 it became illegal for young people to be placed in former semi independent and independent living placements. Supported accommodation providers were required to submit a completed application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023. From 2024, young people who were placed in former semi independent and independent living placements with providers who had not submitted a completed application by the deadline are reported within the 'Other' category.
CLA numbers and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years - by local authority
Filename
cla_number_and_rate_per_10k_children.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data for: CLA on 31 March; CLA starting during the year; CLA ceasing during the year. Note: Figures for CLA during the year can be found in the LA dataset on children who have gone missing or who are away from placement without authorisation.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
children_count
Number of children looked after
population_estimate
Population estimate
population_type
CLA population type
rate_per_10000
Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Rates rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Only the first occasion on which a child started to be looked after in the LA during year has been counted. The number of CLA starting will include a small amount of double counting of children and young people whose care whose care transfers between LAs. These children will be counted as starting a period of care once within each LA responsible for their care during the reporting year. Nationally, for non-UASC, this has been broadly 200 children in recent years. UASC are more likely to have responsibility for their care move between LAs, due to the National Transfer Scheme (NTS), and as the number of UASC increase the number transferring between LAs (and so the number being double counted) will increase. See the methodology document for further information.
Only the last occasion on which a child ceased to be looked after in the LA during the year has been counted. The care of a small number of children each year is transferred between LAs, in national figures these children will be counted as ceasing once within each LA. For more information see the methodology document.
CLA on 31 March - characteristics - by local authority
Filename
la_cla_on_31_march_by_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data for CLA on 31 March by: age group, category of need, distance between home/placement and locality of placement, ethnicity, sex, legal status, LA of placement, locality of placement, placement type, placement provider, UASC status.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
Placement locality denotes whether or not the placement is within the geographical boundary of the responsible LA.
Distance is the distance in miles between the child's home and placement. In some cases this is not known, for example UASC, or not recorded for confidentiality reasons, such as some children placed for adoption.
The category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/ supported accommodation' reports data for young people in placements in former semi-independent living arrangements and living independently up to and including 2023. From 2024 all placements are supported accommodation (registered with Ofsted). From 28 October 2023 it became illegal for young people to be placed in former semi independent and independent living placements. Supported accommodation providers were required to submit a completed application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023. From 2024, young people who were placed in former semi independent and independent living placements with providers who had not submitted a completed application by the deadline are reported within the 'Other' category.
CLA on 31 March - local authority of placement net gain - by local authority
Filename
la_cla_on_31_march_la_of_placement_netgain.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data for CLA on 31 March by the number of children the LA places outside their LA and the number of children other LAs place within the LA.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
characteristic
Net gain
children_count
CLA on 31 March
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Net gain is the difference between the number of children who are the responsibility of other LAs placed within this LA boundary and the number of children who are the responsibility of this LA placed outside the LA boundary.
CLA at any time during the year, and CLA continuously for at least 12 months on 31 March, by age, ethnicity, sex and placement type.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
cla_group
CLA population
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Age at the end of the latest episode of care, or at 31 March if child is still looked after.
Placements relate to the total number of placements made for each looked after child during the year ending 31 March. For example, if a child has been placed in a foster placement, with parents and also in a residential care homes they will appear three times in these figures - once in each category. If a child has had 2 foster placements and 1 placement in a residential care home, they will be counted once under foster care and once under residential care. For children looked after continuously for 12 months only the placement at 31 March is counted.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people, before 28 October 2023, who were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people in placements from 28 April 2023 onwards at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline.
Number of new placements for CLA during the year by locality of placement and distance between home and placement.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
characteristic
Type of placement
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Placement locality denotes whether or not the placement is within the geographical boundary of the responsible LA.
Distance is the distance in miles between the child's home and placement. In some cases this is not known, for example UASC, or not recorded for confidentiality reasons, such as some children placed for adoption.
Placements denotes the total number of new placements starting during the year - if a child has for example, more than one foster placement then both will be counted. Living independently includes children in residential employment. Other includes placement in residential schools and other placements
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people, before 28 October 2023, who were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people in placements from 28 April 2023 onwards at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline.
Duration of placements ceasing during the year, by placement type.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Placement type
characteristic
Duration of placements
placement_count
Number
placement_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages and averages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c'. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
A placement may cease but the child will continue to be looked after if a new placement begins immediately. This table gives counts of placements, not children. If a child has more than one placement in the year then each will be included.
Analysis of revisions in previous years suggests that total numbers of placements ceasing in the latest year are often revised upwards by around 10,000 the following year as information is updated on LA systems.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people, before 28 October 2023, who were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people in placements from 28 April 2023 onwards at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline.
Reason for placement change for children who moved placements in the year. Includes breakdowns by sex, age, placement type, duration of placement and category of need.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Reason for placement change
characteristic
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Age at end of placement.
When a child has more than one placement then each will be counted.
Approval removed denotes where a setting is no longer approved/registered with the appropriate statutory body (eg Ofsted). Change in status of a placement only denotes where there is a change of status for the placement but the child remains with the same carer and there is no change to the care plan, for example if a foster carer moves house, or a foster carer working for a local authority becomes managed by an independent fostering agency.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people, before 28 October 2023, who were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people in placements from 28 April 2023 onwards at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline.
CLA during the year - characteristics - by local authority
Filename
la_cla_during_year_new_placements.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data for CLA during the year by placement locality and by reason for placement change.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Approval removed denotes where a setting is no longer approved/registered with the appropriate statutory body (eg Ofsted). Change in status of a placement only denotes where there is a change of status for the placement but the child remains with the same carer and there is no change to the care plan, for example if a foster carer moves house, or a foster carer working for a local authority becomes managed by an independent fostering agency.
Distance is the distance in miles between the child's home and placement. In some cases this is not known, for example UASC, or not recorded for confidentiality reasons, such as some children placed for adoption.
Placements denotes the total number of new placements starting during the year - if a child has for example, more than one foster placement then both will be counted. Living independently includes children in residential employment. Other includes placement in residential schools and other placements
LA data for CLA at any time during the year ending 31 March who were only looked after exclusively under a series of short term (respite) placements.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
children_count
Number
Footnotes
Children looked after exclusively under one or more agreed series of short term placements at any time during the years ending 31 March. Note that children may be provided with with short breaks as 'children in need' or as 'children looked after' so these figures will be an undercount of the total number of children provided with short breaks.
CLA starting during the year, by sex, age on starting, category of need, ethnicity, legal status, UASC status, previous permanence and placement type.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Only the first occasion on which a child started to be looked after in the LA during year has been counted. The number of CLA starting will include a small amount of double counting of children and young people whose care whose care transfers between LAs. These children will be counted as starting a period of care once within each LA responsible for their care during the reporting year. Nationally, for non-UASC, this has been broadly 200 children in recent years. UASC are more likely to have responsibility for their care move between LAs, due to the National Transfer Scheme (NTS), and as the number of UASC increase the number transferring between LAs (and so the number being double counted) will increase. See the methodology document for further information.
FFA relates to Fostering for Adoption. Foster placements 'not FFA or concurrent planning' include children in long term foster placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
In 2025 there were 13 secure homes in England, therefore most placements will inevitably be outside the council boundary.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Total independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people who started to be looked after before 28 October 2023 and were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people who started to be looked after from 28 April 2023 onwards who had been placed at a provider that had submitted a complete application to Ofsted to operate as a supported accommodation provider by the deadline.
Young people who started to be looked after from former semi independent accommodation on or after 28 October 2023, where the provider did not submit a complete application to Ofsted before 28 October 2023, have been reported as starting from an 'Other' placement.
LA data for CLA starting during the year by: age group, category of need, sex, legal status, numbers taken into care, UASC.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
Following the introduction of the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) in 2016, there has been an agreement between local authorities to transfer UASC to ensure a more equitable distribution of UASC across all local authorities. This means that some UASC will be counted more than once in the national and regional CLA starting and ceasing figures if they started or ceased to be looked after within more than one local authority during the year. In 2020, the number of UASC starts included 140 young people who had transferred from another LA; this had increased to 1,970 in 2024 following the mandation of the NTS in February 2022.
'Taken into care' includes children and young people starting to be looked after under a care order or are detained in local authority accommodation on child protection grounds.
CLA ceasing during the year by sex, age on ceasing, reason episode ceased, legal status, UASC status, category of need, ethnicity, placement and duration of latest period of care.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Only the last occasion on which a child ceased to be looked after in the LA during the year has been counted. The care of a small number of children each year is transferred between LAs, in national figures these children will be counted as ceasing once within each LA. For more information see the methodology document.
Period of care refers to a continuous period of being looked after, which may include more than one placement or legal status.
FFA relates to Fostering for Adoption. Foster placements 'not FFA or concurrent planning' include children in long term foster placements.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
In 2025, 55% of all children who were stated as ceasing due to other reasons left care on their 18th birthday.
In 2025 there were 13 secure homes in England, therefore most placements will inevitably be outside the council boundary.
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England were able to register with Ofsted and it became illegal for a supported accommodation provider to operate if they had not submitted a complete application which had been accepted by 28 October 2023. For 2024, figures in the category 'Total independent and semi-independent living arrangements/supported accommodation' include young people who ceased to be looked after before 28 October 2023 and were placed in former semi independent living accommodation or who formerly lived independently, and also young people who ceased to be looked after from 28 October 2023 onwards who had been placed in registered supported accommodation.
Young people who ceased to be looked after from former semi independent accommodation on or after 28 October 2023, where the provider did not submit a complete application to Ofsted by 28 October 2023, have been reported as ceasing from an 'Other' placement.
CLA ceasing during the year by number of periods of care, number of placements and age on ceasing.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
age_on_ceasing
Age on ceasing
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
periods_or_placements
Number of periods of care or placements
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Period of care refers to a continuous period of being looked after, which may include more than one placement or legal status.
CLA ceasing during the year - characteristics - by local authority
Filename
la_children_who_ceased_during_the_year.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data for CLA ceasing during the year by age group, sex, UASC status and reason episode ceased. Data on CLA ceasing due to adoptions or SGOs in each LA can be found in the csv 'CLA who were adopted or the subject of a SGO - by local authority'.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Following the introduction of the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) in 2016, there has been an agreement between local authorities to transfer UASC to ensure a more equitable distribution of UASC across all local authorities. This means that some UASC will be counted more than once in the national and regional CLA starting and ceasing figures if they started or ceased to be looked after within more than one local authority during the year. In 2020, the number of UASC starts included 140 young people who had transferred from another LA; this had increased to 1,970 in 2024 following the mandation of the NTS in February 2022.
In 2025, 95% of all UASC ceasing due to care transferring to another LA were from Kent, and within Kent, 86% of UASC ceasing (2,340) transferred care to another LA.
CLA who were adopted or the subject of a SGO during the year - characteristics
Filename
national_cla_adopted_sgo_during_the_year.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
CLA who were adopted or the subject of an SGO in the year, by sex, age, primary need, ethnicity, duration of final period of care and final legal status. Note: Average ages and durations are in the 'number' indicator but in the format (years:month)
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
cla_group
Type of order
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Period of care refers to a continuous period of being looked after, which may include more than one placement or legal status.
Category of need is the main category of the eight “need codes” at the time the child started to be looked after.
CLA who were adopted during the year by average time between the different stages of the adoption process and age at start of period of care. The average time is shown in years and months (yy:mm).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
age_start_poc
Age at start of period of care
number
Number (Durations are expressed in years and months)
stage_of_adoption_process
Stage of the adoption process
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c'. Average time rounded to the nearest month. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. Age is as at the start of period of care. 'Number of children' is those who were placed for adoption within 12 months (i.e. less than 365 days, inclusive of date placed for adoption) of the decision that they should be placed for adoption. This figure excludes children who were placed within 12 months of the decision that they should be placed for adoption, but whose placement for adoption broke down before being adopted.
CLA who were adopted during the year - number, sex and legal status of adopters
Filename
number_and_legal_status_of_adopters.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
CLA who were adopted during the year by number of adopters, legal status of adopters and by sex of adopters.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Information on children for whom the local authority has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Children for whom the LA has made the decision the child should be placed for adoption includes children who have been placed for adoption or adopted or who are waiting to be placed for adoption at 31 March each year, however the decision to adopt may have been made in an earlier years.
Relates to adoption decisions. Small numbers of children may be adopted without a formal adoption decision or may have an initial decision reversed before a new decision and adoption placement, so this figure may not be equal to other adoption figures reported in this release.
Children who have ceased to be looked after without being adopted - information is based on the year this outcome occurred, however the decision that the child should be placed for adoption may have been made in a previous year.
LA data for CLA ceasing through an adoption or a SGO. Adoption figures are split by unopposed/consent dispensed with. SGO figures are split by whether it was made to a former foster carer/not, and whether they were a relative or friend/other.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Care leavers, by sex, whether the LA was in touch with the young person, activity, accommodation and suitability of accommodation and former UASC status.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Local authority not in touch' excludes young people where activity information is known, as a third party provided it even though the local authority is not directly in touch with the young person.
Accommodation suitable/not suitable figures also exclude young people who have gone abroad, been deported or their residence is not know as in these cases the suitability of the accommodation will be unknown. This means the total of care leavers in this table will be slightly lower than the total in the care leaver accommodation table. Regulation 9(2) of the Care Leavers Regulations defines what is meant by 'Suitable accommodation'. 'No information' includes young people whose accommodation is not known because either the local authority is not in touch, or the young person has refused contact or no longer requires services.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers, by activity (as measured on or around their birthday). Activity figures split by ethnicity, and by last placement when the young person ceased to be looked after.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
activity_type
Type of activity the care leaver is in
breakdown
Characteristic of the care leaver
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Local authority not in touch' excludes young people where activity information is known, as a third party provided it even though the local authority is not directly in touch with the young person.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Around 66% of care leavers aged 18-21 years old and 61% of care leavers aged 17 years old were in their final placement for at least 6 months (2025 data). Users of this information on last placement should take this into consideration when drawing conclusions from this data.
Care leavers (now 17-21 years) - in contact with the responsible authority - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_intouch.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data on whether the LA was in touch (as measured on or around their birthday).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers (now 17-21 years) - activity - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_activity.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data on care leavers by activity (as measured on or around their birthday).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers (now 17-21 years) - accommodation - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_accommodation_type.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data on care leavers by accommodation type (as measured on or around their birthday).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers (now 17-21 years) - whether their accommodation is suitable - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_accommodation_suitability.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data on care leavers by whether their accommodation is deemed to be suitable.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Accommodation suitable/not suitable figures also exclude young people who have gone abroad, been deported or their residence is not know as in these cases the suitability of the accommodation will be unknown. This means the total of care leavers in this table will be slightly lower than the total in the care leaver accommodation table. Regulation 9(2) of the Care Leavers Regulations defines what is meant by 'Suitable accommodation'. 'No information' includes young people whose accommodation is not known because either the local authority is not in touch, or the young person has refused contact or no longer requires services.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
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.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
characteristic
With former foster carer
number
Number
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers (now 18-20 years) - staying put - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_stayput.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
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 leaver support and were living with their former foster carer.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 17-21 year old care leavers relates to contact around their birthday. Users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures for the number of care leavers who have died each year can be found in the methodology document.
Care leavers, by sex, whether the young person requested and received support from the LA, activity, accommodation and suitability of accommodation and former UASC status. For older care leavers the cohort may be small. First collected in 2023.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Accommodation suitable/not suitable figures also exclude young people who have gone abroad, been deported or their residence is not know as in these cases the suitability of the accommodation will be unknown. This means the total of care leavers in this table will be slightly lower than the total in the care leaver accommodation table. Regulation 9(2) of the Care Leavers Regulations defines what is meant by 'Suitable accommodation'. 'No information' includes young people whose accommodation is not known because they have not been in touch with the local authority during the year.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 22-25 year old care leavers relates to the latest contact in the year, if the young person requested and received support from the local authority. Local authorities are not expected to be in touch and initiate contact with young people over age 21 who have not requested or received support during the reporting period. This data is collected and reported to record the numbers of older care leavers who are accessing their entitlement to support and to better understand their activity and accommodation status.
Data was collected for the first time in 2023, and in some cases may be an undercount of the full cohort, particularly for the older care leavers. In 2023, we suspect the number of 24-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 3% and 25-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 10% (when comparing to the number of 20- and 21-year-old care leavers reported in 2019).
Care leavers (now 22-25 years) - in contact with the responsible authority - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_intouch_22to25.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2023 to 2025
Content
LA data on whether the care leaver was in touch with their LA for support. Data is available for young people who contacted the LA and requested and received support. For older care leavers the cohort may be small.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 22-25 year old care leavers relates to the latest contact in the year, if the young person requested and received support from the local authority. Local authorities are not expected to be in touch and initiate contact with young people over age 21 who have not requested or received support during the reporting period. This data is collected and reported to record the numbers of older care leavers who are accessing their entitlement to support and to better understand their activity and accommodation status.
Data was collected for the first time in 2023, and in some cases may be an undercount of the full cohort, particularly for the older care leavers. In 2023, we suspect the number of 24-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 3% and 25-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 10% (when comparing to the number of 20- and 21-year-old care leavers reported in 2019).
Care leavers (now 22-25 years) - activity - by local authority
Filename
la_care_leavers_activity_22to25.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2023 to 2025
Content
LA data on care leavers, by activity (as measured at their latest contact).Data is available for young people who contacted the LA and requested and received support. For older care leavers the cohort may be small.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 22-25 year old care leavers relates to the latest contact in the year, if the young person requested and received support from the local authority. Local authorities are not expected to be in touch and initiate contact with young people over age 21 who have not requested or received support during the reporting period. This data is collected and reported to record the numbers of older care leavers who are accessing their entitlement to support and to better understand their activity and accommodation status.
Data was collected for the first time in 2023, and in some cases may be an undercount of the full cohort, particularly for the older care leavers. In 2023, we suspect the number of 24-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 3% and 25-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 10% (when comparing to the number of 20- and 21-year-old care leavers reported in 2019).
LA data on care leavers, by whether their accommodation is deemed to be suitable. Data is available for young people who contacted the LA and requested and received support. For older care leavers the cohort may be small.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Breakdown
care_leaver_age
Age of care leaver
care_leaver_count
Number
care_leaver_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Figures exclude young people who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements, those who have died since leaving care, those who have returned home to parents or someone with parental responsibility for a continuous period of at least 6 months and those whose care was transferred to another local authority. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication.
Accommodation suitable/not suitable figures also exclude young people who have gone abroad, been deported or their residence is not know as in these cases the suitability of the accommodation will be unknown. This means the total of care leavers in this table will be slightly lower than the total in the care leaver accommodation table. Regulation 9(2) of the Care Leavers Regulations defines what is meant by 'Suitable accommodation'. 'No information' includes young people whose accommodation is not known because they have not been in touch with the local authority during the year.
In touch, activity and accommodation information for 22-25 year old care leavers relates to the latest contact in the year, if the young person requested and received support from the local authority. Local authorities are not expected to be in touch and initiate contact with young people over age 21 who have not requested or received support during the reporting period. This data is collected and reported to record the numbers of older care leavers who are accessing their entitlement to support and to better understand their activity and accommodation status.
Data was collected for the first time in 2023, and in some cases may be an undercount of the full cohort, particularly for the older care leavers. In 2023, we suspect the number of 24-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 3% and 25-year-olds could be undercounted by up to 10% (when comparing to the number of 20- and 21-year-old care leavers reported in 2019).
OFFICIAL STATISTICS. Users should be cautious making comparisons across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document. Figures by duration of missing periods, placement and age.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Children looked after who were missing from placement
number
Number
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Missing is defined as a looked after child who is not at their placement or a place they are expected to be and their whereabouts is not known.
Since 2017 a growing number of local authorities informed the department that they do not record incidents as 'away without authorisation' but instead report all incidents as 'missing' to maintain consistency with local police reporting. We estimate this could mean an overestimate of missing incidents of up to 13% in 2021, 10% in 2022, 11% in 2023, 13% in 2024 and 12% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 9,600, 11,100, 11,500, 11,500 and 11,300. There is a corresponding estimate of an undercount of away without authorisation incidents of up to 32% in 2021, 30% in 2022, 32% in 2023, 36% in 2024 and 32% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 3,800, 3,600, 3,900, 4,300 and 4,300. However some of these local authorities submitted some 'away without authorisation' information and this has been included in the away from placement without authorisation table.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS. Users should be cautious making comparisons across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document. Figures by duration of away without authorisation periods, placement and age.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
characteristic
Children looked after who were away from placement
number
Number
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Away from placement without authorisation is defined as a looked after child whose whereabouts is known but who is not at their placement or place they are expected to be and the carer has concerns or the incident has been notified to the local authority or the police.
Since 2017 a growing number of local authorities informed the department that they do not record incidents as 'away without authorisation' but instead report all incidents as 'missing' to maintain consistency with local police reporting. We estimate this could mean an overestimate of missing incidents of up to 13% in 2021, 10% in 2022, 11% in 2023, 13% in 2024 and 12% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 9,600, 11,100, 11,500, 11,500 and 11,300. There is a corresponding estimate of an undercount of away without authorisation incidents of up to 32% in 2021, 30% in 2022, 32% in 2023, 36% in 2024 and 32% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 3,800, 3,600, 3,900, 4,300 and 4,300. However some of these local authorities submitted some 'away without authorisation' information and this has been included in the away from placement without authorisation table.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS. Users should be cautious making comparisons between LAs, or across years due to changing reporting practices - see the methodology document. CLA who were missing or away from placement without authorisation.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
missing_status
Children who are missing or away without authorisation
number
Number
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Missing is defined as a looked after child who is not at their placement or a place they are expected to be and their whereabouts is not known.
Away from placement without authorisation is defined as a looked after child whose whereabouts is known but who is not at their placement or place they are expected to be and the carer has concerns or the incident has been notified to the local authority or the police.
Since 2017 a growing number of local authorities informed the department that they do not record incidents as 'away without authorisation' but instead report all incidents as 'missing' to maintain consistency with local police reporting. We estimate this could mean an overestimate of missing incidents of up to 13% in 2021, 10% in 2022, 11% in 2023, 13% in 2024 and 12% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 9,600, 11,100, 11,500, 11,500 and 11,300. There is a corresponding estimate of an undercount of away without authorisation incidents of up to 32% in 2021, 30% in 2022, 32% in 2023, 36% in 2024 and 32% in 2025; suggesting the true figures could be more like 3,800, 3,600, 3,900, 4,300 and 4,300. However some of these local authorities submitted some 'away without authorisation' information and this has been included in the away from placement without authorisation table.
Time series of children looked after data - 1994 to 2025
Filename
cla_time_series_1994_2025.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
1994 to 2025
Content
National time series - 1994 to 2024. Covering CLA on 31 March; CLA starting during in the year; CLA ceasing during in the year; CLA who were adopted; CLA on 31 March who were UASC; CLA on 31 March (excluding UASC).
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
children_count
Number
population_type
Population type - Select the population measure you require
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Only the first occasion on which a child started to be looked after in the LA during year has been counted. The number of CLA starting will include a small amount of double counting of children and young people whose care whose care transfers between LAs. These children will be counted as starting a period of care once within each LA responsible for their care during the reporting year. Nationally, for non-UASC, this has been broadly 200 children in recent years. UASC are more likely to have responsibility for their care move between LAs, due to the National Transfer Scheme (NTS), and as the number of UASC increase the number transferring between LAs (and so the number being double counted) will increase. See the methodology document for further information.
Only the last occasion on which a child ceased to be looked after in the LA during the year has been counted. The care of a small number of children each year is transferred between LAs, in national figures these children will be counted as ceasing once within each LA. For more information see the methodology document.
CLA on 31 March for 12 months - conviction and health outcomes
Filename
national_conviction_health_outcomes_for_cla.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
Data on whether they were convicted or subject to a youth caution/identified as having a substance misuse problem/had their annual health assessment or development checks/immunisations up to date/teeth checked by a dentist/SDQ scores.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
age_group
Characteristic by age
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
sex
Sex
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. Figures include children who have been continuously looked after for at least 12 months as at 31 March and exclude children who were looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. Age is as at 31 March.
Latest available comparable offending figures from the Ministry of Justice for all children are for 2017 where 1% of all children aged 10-17 years were convicted or subject to youth cautions, or youth conditional cautions during the year.
Substance misuse is defined as 'intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems'. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in conjunction with other substances). The term 'drug' is used to refer to any psychotropic substance, including illegal drugs, illicit use of prescription drugs and volatile substances. Young people's drug taking is often inextricably linked with the consumption of alcohol. Therefore the term 'substance' refers to both drugs and alcohol but not tobacco.
Immunisations were up to date by end of March. 'Up to date' means the child has had all immunisations that a child of their age should have received, according to the NHS vaccination schedule.
'Teeth checked by dentist' records whether the child has had their teeth checked by a dentist in the year ending 31 March
'Had annual health assessment' records whether the child received their annual health assessment from a doctor or other suitably qualified professional during the year. Both assessments must be carried out for under fives (once in every six months before the child's fifth birthday). For fives and over a single assessment fulfils the requirement.
Development assessment information is collected for children aged 4 or younger at 31 March who were looked after continuously for at least 12 months. This measures whether the child's health surveillance or health promotion checks were up to date.
Average SDQ scores have been rounded to the nearest one decimal place. An SDQ score is required of all children aged 4-16 on the date of last assessment. Date of assessment is not collected so data in this table is restricted to children aged 5 to 16 years. A higher score indicates more emotional difficulties. 0-13 is considered normal, 14-16 is borderline cause for concern and 17-40 is cause for concern.
CLA on 31 March for 12 months - conviction and health outcomes - by local authority
Filename
la_conviction_health_outcome_cla.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2021 to 2025
Content
LA data on whether they were convicted or subject to a youth caution/identified as having a substance misuse problem/had their annual health assessment or development checks/immunisations up to date/teeth checked by a dentist/SDQ scores.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Latest available comparable offending figures from the Ministry of Justice for all children are for 2017 where 1% of all children aged 10-17 years were convicted or subject to youth cautions, or youth conditional cautions during the year.
Substance misuse is defined as 'intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems'. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in conjunction with other substances). The term 'drug' is used to refer to any psychotropic substance, including illegal drugs, illicit use of prescription drugs and volatile substances. Young people's drug taking is often inextricably linked with the consumption of alcohol. Therefore the term 'substance' refers to both drugs and alcohol but not tobacco.
Immunisations were up to date by end of March. 'Up to date' means the child has had all immunisations that a child of their age should have received, according to the NHS vaccination schedule.
'Teeth checked by dentist' records whether the child has had their teeth checked by a dentist in the year ending 31 March
'Had annual health assessment' records whether the child received their annual health assessment from a doctor or other suitably qualified professional during the year. Both assessments must be carried out for under fives (once in every six months before the child's fifth birthday). For fives and over a single assessment fulfils the requirement.
Development assessment information is collected for children aged 4 or younger at 31 March who were looked after continuously for at least 12 months. This measures whether the child's health surveillance or health promotion checks were up to date.
Average SDQ scores have been rounded to the nearest one decimal place. An SDQ score is required of all children aged 4-16 on the date of last assessment. Date of assessment is not collected so data in this table is restricted to children aged 5 to 16 years. A higher score indicates more emotional difficulties. 0-13 is considered normal, 14-16 is borderline cause for concern and 17-40 is cause for concern.
Users should be cautious when using the EES platform to create a table from this dataset for average SDQ scores. These averages are provided to 1 decimal place in the csv file, however due to the structure of the file the EES platform will round the averages in a table. You are strongly advised to cross check any SDQ averages in tables created using the EES platform to the underlying data file.
Number of placements during the year and previous 2 years (placement stability) for CLA on 31 March by sex, age, ethnicity, first legal status and placement during the year/previous 2 years, UASC/non-UASC.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
cla_group
CLA population
placement_stability
Number of placements
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
First placement and legal status during the year, excluding a small number of children for whom placement on 31 March and corresponding legal status has been used. See methodology document for further information.
Includes children looked after on 31 March each year who also spent at least one day in care in the previous year ending 31 March
First placement and legal status during the previous 2 years, excluding a small number of children for whom placement on 31 March and corresponding legal status has been used. See methodology document for further information.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
CLA aged under 16 on 31 March who had been looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years and who were living with the same carer for at least 2 years, by sex, age, ethnicity, legal status (on 31 March), placement (on 31 March), UASC/non-UASC.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
breakdown
Characteristic
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
placement_stability
Number of placements
Footnotes
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k' . Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Includes children looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years, aged under 16. Children living with the same carer for at least two years is defined as children living with the same carer for at least two years or if they have been placed for adoption, their adoptive placement and their previous carer combined last for at least two years. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.
A child is included as having been a. in care for at least 2.5 years if their period of care start date was on or before the 30 September of the relevant year and b. with the same carer for at least 2 years if their episode start date for the relevant placement was on or before the 31 March of the relevant year.
'Youth Justice legal statuses' refers to children: remanded to LA accommodation or youth detention accommodation under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; placed in LA accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; or, sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with residence or intensive fostering requirement under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (as amended).
LA data on CLA on 31 March with three of more placements during the year or previous 2 years and CLA continuously for at least 2.5 years, aged <16 on 31 March who were living with the same carer for at least 2 years.
Variable names and descriptions
Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:
Variable name
Variable description
children_count
Number
children_percent
Percentage
placement_stability
Number of placements
Footnotes
National and regional numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures in some tables may be suppressed, denoted by a 'c', percentages <0.5% are denoted by a 'k'. Historical data may differ from older publications which is mainly due to amendments made by local authorities after the previous publication. However, users looking for a longer time series may wish to check for the equivalent table in earlier releases of this publication. Figures exclude children looked after under a series of short-term placements.
Includes children looked after on 31 March each year who also spent at least one day in care in the previous year ending 31 March
Includes children looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years, aged under 16. Children living with the same carer for at least two years is defined as children living with the same carer for at least two years or if they have been placed for adoption, their adoptive placement and their previous carer combined last for at least two years. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.
A child is included as having been a. in care for at least 2.5 years if their period of care start date was on or before the 30 September of the relevant year and b. with the same carer for at least 2 years if their episode start date for the relevant placement was on or before the 31 March of the relevant year.