Looked-after children and young people

In 2007, 81,000 children and young people under the age of 18 were in the care of local authorities in England, and increase of 18% since 1997.

(Source: Social Trends, No. 39, 2009).

At 31 March 2009, 60,900 children were looked after, 2 per cent more than the 2008 figure of 59,400.

In 2008/09 8,700 young people aged 16 or over left care, compared to 7,600 in 2004/05.

At 31 March 2009, 44,500 (73%) of looked after children were of White British origin. 

In the past 5 years the percentage of former care leavers, with whom the local authorities were in touch and who were in education, employment or training around the time of their 19th birthday, had increased from 58.4% in 2005 to 64.9% in 2008. However, in 2009 the percentage dropped to 63.0%.

(Source: Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2009, Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009)

In 2004, 80% of looked after children and young people in England were white; mixed origin and black or black British children and young people each accounted for 8% of those in care. These figures include the 2,800 unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Over three-quarters (78%) of children in short-term placements are disabled; nearly two-thirds (63%) are male.

Just 1% of care leavers go to university compared with 37% of young people living with their birth parents.

At least 1 in 7 young women leaving the care system is pregnant or already a mother.

(Source: Working with Children 2006-7, NCH/SocietyGuardian, 2005)