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Thread time. 
1/ New annual DfE stats are out on children in care and care leavers today from the SSDA903 collection.
…https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2020
You'll notice the new EES dashboard which makes exploring them at a glance much easier!
I wanted to share a few key things...
1/ New annual DfE stats are out on children in care and care leavers today from the SSDA903 collection.
…https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2020
You'll notice the new EES dashboard which makes exploring them at a glance much easier!
I wanted to share a few key things...
2/ As expected, there's been an increase in the number of children in care, up by 2% from 2019 to 80,080.
That's a little lower than the estimate (81,700) made in @ADCStweets's recent interim report: https://adcs.org.uk/safeguarding/article/safeguarding-pressures-phase-7-interim-report
That's a little lower than the estimate (81,700) made in @ADCStweets's recent interim report: https://adcs.org.uk/safeguarding/article/safeguarding-pressures-phase-7-interim-report
3/ Rate of growth has slowed a little - previous year-on-year increases were 4%, 4% and 3%.
But that's still continuing a consistent increase in numbers in a system at crisis point.
Since 2009, the number of children in care has increased by 31%.
But that's still continuing a consistent increase in numbers in a system at crisis point.
Since 2009, the number of children in care has increased by 31%.
4/ This increase has not been experienced evenly across England.
Between 2015 and 2020:
In London, the number of children in care increased by 0.4%.
In the North East, the number of children in care increased by 34%.
Between 2015 and 2020:
In London, the number of children in care increased by 0.4%.In the North East, the number of children in care increased by 34%.
5/ The profile of who's in care looks very different too.
London:
About 25% are under 10.
37% are 16-17.
30% are Black/Black British.
18% live 20+ miles from home.
NE:
About 50% are under 10.
16% are 16-17.
2% are Black/Black British.
9% live 20+ miles from home.
London:About 25% are under 10.
37% are 16-17.
30% are Black/Black British.
18% live 20+ miles from home.
NE:About 50% are under 10.
16% are 16-17.
2% are Black/Black British.
9% live 20+ miles from home.
6/ Once more for those at the back...
*There. Is. Not. One. Care. System*
Really crucial that the upcoming care review looks at the regional and local differences in who the care system supports.
*There. Is. Not. One. Care. System*
Really crucial that the upcoming care review looks at the regional and local differences in who the care system supports.
7/ Anyway, back to national stats for this year.
Expected continued drop in numbers starting to be looked after (down another 3%) and a similar number ceasing to be looked after.
The difference between these two figures accounts for the 2% growth overall.
Expected continued drop in numbers starting to be looked after (down another 3%) and a similar number ceasing to be looked after.
The difference between these two figures accounts for the 2% growth overall.
8/ The quite rapid change in legal status of children in care has also continued.
The proportion of those under a care order is now at 77% and those under a voluntary arrangement is 17%, following the 2015 family court appeal judgement marking the "misuse and abuse" of s20.
The proportion of those under a care order is now at 77% and those under a voluntary arrangement is 17%, following the 2015 family court appeal judgement marking the "misuse and abuse" of s20.
9/ Adoptions have fallen again - a 4% drop since last year. SGOs from care have also fallen by 4%. Expect we'll see a continued governmental focus on boosting adoption.
10/ Of those ceasing to be looked after for whatever reason (adoption, return to family, SGO etc), an increasing proportion are 'ageing out' of care at 18.
In 2015, 23% of those who left the care system did so at 18.
This year, that figure was 35%.
In 2015, 23% of those who left the care system did so at 18.
This year, that figure was 35%.
11/ Part of this is due to the increasing number of unaccompanied young people seeking asylum who have entered care in recent years and are now care leavers.
In 2018, 16% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were UASC.
This year, that figure is 23%.
In 2018, 16% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were UASC.
This year, that figure is 23%.
12/ That's a really big proportional change in a short space of time.
Again, this isn't evenly seen across the country (see Kent/Croydon), but this needs to be considered in how leaving care services (and orgs like us at @Become1992!) are supporting those aged 18+.
Again, this isn't evenly seen across the country (see Kent/Croydon), but this needs to be considered in how leaving care services (and orgs like us at @Become1992!) are supporting those aged 18+.
13/ We're worried about an increasing number of young people experiencing a #CareCliff when they turn 18 and leave care.
In good news, the numbers Staying Put are continuing to increase - although gradually. SP needs to live up to the promise it made to young people and carers.
In good news, the numbers Staying Put are continuing to increase - although gradually. SP needs to live up to the promise it made to young people and carers.
14/14 Lots of other things have remained relatively steady year-to-year but are quite dramatic changes across multiple years (e.g. age profile of those in and entering care; type of first placement in care etc).
Just ask if you've got any Qs and do keep an eye on @Become1992.
Just ask if you've got any Qs and do keep an eye on @Become1992.
15/14 (sorry...)
As ever, important to remember the individual people and experiences behind every one of these big faceless national-level statistics. It's easy to get drawn into these, but crucial to take our insight from those with lived experience primarily.
As ever, important to remember the individual people and experiences behind every one of these big faceless national-level statistics. It's easy to get drawn into these, but crucial to take our insight from those with lived experience primarily.
