HC Deb 25 April 2002 vol 384 cc452-3W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children up to the age of 16 years were under the care of social services departments in the UK on 1 April. [51645]

Jacqui Smith

The number of children aged under 16, who were looked after by local councils in England at 31 March 2001, was 49,600.

This figure excludes children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.

Information for the number of children looked after in Wales and Scotland is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children up to the age of 16 years have disappeared while living in social services care in each of the last five years. [51644]

Jacqui Smith

The available information is shown in the table.

Estimated number of looked after children aged under 16 whose

last placement in their care history is recorded as being absent

from agreed placement, by age at start of last placement, for years

ending 31 March 1996 to 2000 England

Year ending 31 March Number
1996 40
1997 65
1998 55
Estimated number of looked after children aged under 16 whose

last placement in their care history is recorded as being absent

from agreed placement, by age at start of last placement, for years

ending 31 March 1996 to 2000 England

Year ending 31 March Number
1999 30
2000 90

Notes:

Local councils only recorded children as being missing from their agreed placement after they had been missing for a period in excess of seven days.

All figures rounded to nearest five

Above table excludes children looked after under a series of short term placements

Source:

DH Annual Statistical returns (CLA Episode system)