This statistic shows the number of children who were in social care as of March 31 in England (UK), from 1997 to 2018. Despite a small dip between 2004 and 2008, the number of children in care has increased over this 21 year period, to a total of 75,420 in 2018.
Number of looked after children in England from 1997 to 2018*
*"Looked after children" include foster placements, children placed for adoption, placements with parents, other placements in the community, secure units, children's homes and hostels and other residential settings including residential schools.
**Figures for 1998 to 2003 are based on a one third sample.
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
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UK Department for Education. (November 15, 2018). Number of looked after children in England from 1997 to 2018* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/375696/children-in-care-in-england-uk-timeline/
UK Department for Education. "Number of looked after children in England from 1997 to 2018*." Chart. November 15, 2018. Statista. Accessed May 21, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/375696/children-in-care-in-england-uk-timeline/
UK Department for Education. (2018). Number of looked after children in England from 1997 to 2018*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 21, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/375696/children-in-care-in-england-uk-timeline/
UK Department for Education. "Number of Looked after Children in England from 1997 to 2018*." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Nov 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/375696/children-in-care-in-england-uk-timeline/
UK Department for Education, Number of looked after children in England from 1997 to 2018* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/375696/children-in-care-in-england-uk-timeline/ (last visited May 21, 2022)
