About children in care
Children in the care of local authorities are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The majority of children in care are there because they have suffered abuse or neglect. At any one time around 60,000 children are looked after in England (of whom some 59 per cent are subject to care orders). Some 90,000 children are looked after at some point in any one year.
The Government wants every child in care to grow up safe, happy, healthy, secure and loved. This is the only way they will be able to fulfill their potential.
The term 'looked after children' includes:
- Those children who are in care through a care order under section 31 of the Children Act 1989
- Those accommodated on a voluntary basis through an agreement with their parents under section 20 of that Act, or agreement with of the child if they are over 16.
- Children placed away from home under an emergency protection order
- Children on police protection/remand/detention (section 21 of the Children Act)
How are they cared for?
- Most looked after children are in foster care (73 per cent)
- Some 10 per cent are in children's homes
- The rest are cared for in a number of different settings including residential schools and placement with parents.
Young Person’s Guide to Being in Care
The Who Cares? Trust, working with the Department, has produced a guide for young people on being in care.
This is available as a series of pages on Who Cares? Trust, a website for young people.
