§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer regarding children in care of 1 July 2002,Official Report, column 196W, what information he collates on children in care who are (a) homeless, (b) in bed and breakfast accommodation and (c) in temporary accommodation. [67690]
§ Mr. McNultyLocal authorities are obliged to ensure that children in care are placed in settings that are approved to meet their needs. Therefore they would not be homeless. Given local authorities' responsibilities towards children in their care it would be rare for a child in care ever to be placed in temporary or bed and breakfast accommodation.
On 31 March 2001 38,400 (65 per cent.) children were placed with foster carers, 6,200 (10 per cent.) were placed in children's homes, 3,100 (6 per cent.) were placed with families approved under the Adoption Agency regulations and there were 6,900 (12 per cent.) children who were placed with parents.