Looked-After Children


Children who are in the care of local authorities are described as 'looked-after children'. They are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The majority of children who remain in care are there because they have suffered abuse or neglect.

Routes into care

There are two main reasons for children being in local authority care:
  1. Children who are subject to a care order made by the courts under section 31 of the Children Act 1989 (about 65% of all looked-after children) - for the courts to grant a care order they have to be satisfied that a child is suffering or would suffer 'significant harm' without one
  2. Children who are accommodated by the local authority on a voluntary basis  under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 (about a third of all looked-after children)
At any one time around 60,000 children are looked after in England, although some 90,000 pass through the care system in any year.

42% of looked-after children return home within six months. The system aims to support rehabilitation back into families where that is possible.