Care Leavers' Association

Yesterday the Department of Children, Schools and Families published the most recent statistics for looked after children in the UK.

The statistics, which are for the year ending 31 March 2009, show several positive results:

• A decrease in the number of children who leave care at 16 to 21 per cent
• An increase in the number of children whom local authorities are in contact with after they leave care. The number with whom they are not in contact has fallen from 11 per cent to 6 per cent over the past five years.

However, the statistics also indicate that their is still cause for concern about a range of issues:

• There has been an increase in the number of young people from care who leave school without attaining at least one GCSE or GNVQ
• One third of care leavers are not in education, employment or training by the age of 19
• Just over ten per cent of young people are still being housed in unsuitable accommodation after leaving care, according to Government definitions of what is suitable.

You can view the full release by the DCSF here: Looked After Children National Statistics 2009