Vision statement one: Where children are safe in their families and feel loved, they must stay— and families must be given support together to nurture that love and overcome the difficulties which get in the way.
The rate of children entering care decreases. For those that do need to enter care, a higher proportion are able to stay living at home with parents, or in a family setting.
Number and percentage of children who are living in residential care each year.
| Year | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1, 383 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 1, 324 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 1, 285 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 1, 262 | 10.0% |
| 2021 | 1, 267 | 10.0% |
| 2020 | 1, 436 | 10.0% |
| 2019 | 1, 448 | 10.0% |
Notes
Reporting period: 31 July 2025
Last updated: April 2026
Next Update due: April 2027
Expanded Content
The number of children experiencing care and living in residential care (which includes both local authority and voluntary sector homes, residential schools, secure care accommodation, crisis care and other residential accommodation) fell between 2020 (1,436) and 2021 (1,267) and has been gradually increasing since. The overall number of children living in residential care was 4% lower in 2025 than in 2019.
The proportion of children in the “care system” and living in residential care remained at around 10% until 2022, and has since increased to 12% in 2025.