The number of children looked after by the local authorities in England has risen to 82,170 in 2022. This is up 2% from the previous year and continuing the rise seen in recent years.

The figures are included in a statistical release from the Department for Education.

Starts (30,010) and ceasing (30,070) were up 9 and 7 per cent respectively on last year, for which the figures were likely impacted by the pandemic.

The number of Children looked after who were adopted was up 2 per cent – 2,950. However, this is a modest increase given the decrease of 18 per cent last year due to the pandemic where court cases progressed more slowly or were paused.

The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is above pre-pandemic levels. After a 20 per cent decrease last year, the numbers of UASC are up by 34 per cent.

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