HC Deb 08 July 2002 vol 388 c786W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2002,Official Report, column 240W, on looked-after children, if he will set out the number of children in residential care broken down by (a) health authority and (b) region in each of the last five years. [67253]

Jacqui Smith

The information requested is not collected by health authority. The information available by region is shown in the table.

Number of children looked after in residential placements at 31 March 1997
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Emgland 7,900 8,500 8,300 8,900 8,500
North East 595 555 505 540 505
North West 1,090 1,100 1,115 1,145 1,045
Merseyside 415 455 445 490 410
Yorkshire and Humberside 1,000 970 1,005 1,025 940
East Midlands 420 520 540 535 485
West Midlands 800 880 860 950 865
South West 490 530 545 535 555
London 1,600 1,645 1,650 1,960 2,120
Eastern 570 690 665 685 710
South East 920 1,110 930 985 905

Notes:

1. Figures for children looked after in this table exclude agreed series of short term placements.

2. Numbers may not add up to totals due to rounding.

3. Residential placements include secure units. children's homes. hostels, residential schools and placements in other residential settings.

Source:

DH statistical return CLA 100