Statistics for children looked after in England
The Department of Education published (5 December 2019) information on looked-after children in England including adoption, at both national and local authority levels for the financial year 2018 to 2019.
These statistics, which are published annually, are compiled from data collected from all local authorities in England. The statistics include information on reason for being looked after, placement information and locality, and also children who go missing, health and behavioural outcomes, and children ceasing to be looked after.
The figures show that the number of children looked after in England is up 4% to 78,150 as at 31 March 2019, while the number of children being adopted during this time fell by 7%. The primary reason for children becoming looked after in England is the risk of abuse or neglect (63%).