The number of children in the care system in England is at the highest level on record, Department for Education figures show. As of 31 March this year, there were 82,170 children in care in England, according to data published today (17 November). The figure is higher than in any year since current reporting began in 1994, with numbers steadily increasing year-on-year since 2008. The DfE says the figures are “up two per cent on last year and continuing the rise seen in recent years”. It also notes that this year, both the numbers of children entering the care system and ceasing to be cared for are higher than last year. However, the report states that “last year's figures were likely impacted by the pandemic”. Sector leaders have said the figures “mark a continuation of a trend since 2010 of more and more children being looked after by the state”. The report also finds that one in four children in care are now over the age of 16, while the number of children placed more than 20 miles from home increased from 16 per cent in 2012 to 21 per cent in 2022. It adds that more than two fifths of children placed more than 20 miles from home were placed out of area in a different local authority. The figures also show the number of children adopted from care in England has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, increasing by just two per cent compared with last year, when there was a 17 per cent decline in the number of adoptions, largely due to a reduction in court proceedings. There were 2,950 children adopted in the year to 2022, falling from a peak of 5,360 in 2015. It adds that the number of special guardianship orders granted in the year to 31 March this year is up one per cent on last year to 3,870. Responding to the statistics, Katharine Sack-Jones, chief executive of Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, said: “Behind the statistics are real children who are facing more instability than ever before, often being moved away from everything and everyone they know, simply because there are no alternatives closer to home. “We know from calls to our Care Advice Line just how important it is for children, who have already faced trauma, to maintain the relationships and connections that help them feel safe and secure. The constant change and disruption also puts young people at an increased risk of harm, including exploitation and abuse.” Adoption UK's chief executive Emily Frith added: “Once the courts agree that adoption is in the best interests of a child, the sooner they can be matched with a permanent adoptive family, the better. “Children in the care system have already experienced so much loss and upheaval. We know that outcomes are better for children who are adopted than for those who grow up in care. Permanence gives children the best chance of a bright future.” Family Rights Group chief executive, Cathy Ashley, said: “Every day, the crisis in children’s social care gets worse. We are letting down children and families and draining the public purse in the process. “Funding pressures on local authorities, and cost of living pressures on families are severely acerbating the situation.” The Family Rights Group is urging government to invest in services to help keep children within their families when possible. Ashley added: “We know family-centred approaches to children’s social care deliver better outcomes for children and reduce costs to the state. For instance, family group conferences are proven to be effective in safely keeping children out the care system, whilst kinship care provides children who cannot remain at home with love, greater stability and better outcomes.” Meanwhile, the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the care system in England has increased to the highest level since 2004 with 5,570 unaccompanied children now in the care of local authorities. The report finds that Kent, Hillingdon, and Manchester looked after the largest number of unaccompanied children in 2022, caring for 370, 139 and 138 respectively. The figures have been released following a decision by government to make the National Transfer Scheme, for the fair dispersal of unaccompanied children across all local authorities, compulsory. According to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which was published in May, the number of looked-after children in England could exceed 100,000 by 2032 unless changes are implemented. Source: www.cypnow.co.uk Comments are closed.
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