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 of children (0-17 years) entering the ‘care system’ during the year. (1 August – 31 July)
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 3, 195 |
| 2023/24 | 3, 242 |
| 2022/23 | 3, 133 |
| 2021/22 | 3, 037 |
| 2020/21 | 2, 876 |
| 2019/20 | 3, 490 |
| 2018/19 | 3, 824 |
Notes
Reporting period: 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2025
Last updated: April 2026
Next Update due: April 2027
Expanded Content
During 2024/25, 3,195 children entered the ‘care system’, a very small reduction compared to the previous year (3,242 in 2023/24). It should be noted that the most recent year’s data is likely to be subject to upward revision the following year, as underlying data is updated. This latest figure is down by 16% since 2018/19 (3,824).
The number of children entering the ‘care system’ fell by 25% between 2018-19 and 2020-21. While it has increased since, the number has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.