New report sheds light on care pathways for adolescents in Wales

Concerns persist about the high number of children in care in Wales, which has one of the UK’s highest rates of state care for children.

This study by the Family Justice Data Partnership, used anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank.  The data from the Children Looked After census collected by Welsh Government, examined entry routes to care, placement stability and outcomes for children aged 10-17 years old who entered care for the first time between 2007 and 2021.

Key Findings:                                                                                                                           

• Overall numbers entering care remained stable.  While the total number of adolescents entering care hasn’t significantly changed over a decade, the rate has decreased among younger adolescents.
• Adolescents aged 14-15 most likely to enter care.  This age group makes up the largest proportion of new entrants each year.
• Ethnicity reflects wider population.  The ethnicity of adolescents entering care closely mirrors the overall adolescent population in Wales, with 84% identified as White.
• Variations across local authorities. Incidence rates varied between Wales’ 22 local authorities, with Pembrokeshire, Wrexham and Cardiff having higher rates.
• Voluntary arrangements most common.  Over two-thirds (68%) entered care through voluntary agreements where those with parental responsibility agree to local authority care, while 13% entered through interim care orders where a local authority is granted temporary parental responsibility to protect the child while further assessment is carried out.
• Shift in entry routes. The report highlights a potential shift in entry routes, with voluntary arrangements declining and interim care orders increasing after 2011/12. However, this trend appears to be stabilising in recent years.
• Age and entry routes.  Older adolescents were more likely to enter care under voluntary arrangements, while younger adolescents were more likely to enter via interim care orders.
• Placement variations.  Of those entering through voluntary arrangements, 68% were placed with unrelated foster carers. Those entering via an interim care order were most likely to be placed with parents (34%).
• Placement patterns. Older adolescents had higher rates of voluntary arrangements, while younger adolescents were more likely to enter care under interim care orders. Cardiff and South East Wales had higher incidence rates of adolescents entering care under both voluntary arrangements and interim care orders.
• Leaving care. Nearly half (43%) of those who left care during the study period returned home to live with family.
• Returning to care.  23% of adolescents had re-entered care at least once during the study period.
• Placement stability.  Nearly half of younger adolescents experienced three or more placement moves, while older adolescents were more likely to experience only one placement.
• Respite arrangements.  Respite care plays a crucial but often overlooked role, with a significant proportion transitioning to voluntary arrangements or care orders.

 

Read the full report here

 

The Family Justice Data Partnership funded by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, is a collaboration between Lancaster University (Centre for Child and Family Justice Research) and Swansea University (Population Data Science), with Cafcass and Cafcass Cymru as integral stakeholders.

For further information, contact Linda Cusworth (l.cusworth@lancaster.ac.uk)