HC Deb 29 November 2001 vol 375 c1106W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give his estimate for the number of looked after children in the care of local authority social services departments per calendar year in each of the last 10 years. [19310]

Jacqui Smith

The information requested is in the table. Figures are not collected on a calendar year basis but are supplied on the basis of years ending 31 March.

Number of children looked after by local authorities, years ending 31 March, England
Year Number
1992 55,500
1993 51,600
1994 49,100
1995 49,500
1996 50,600
1997 51,100
1998 53,300
1999 55,500
2000 58,100
2001 58,900

Notes:

1. Figures exclude children accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.

2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Source:

Department of Health annual statistical return SSDA 903

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