Children looked after in foster placements on 31 March by location of placement
Next update expected:December 2026
Updates
- 16th July 2026
- Dataset first published.
Main information
- Designation
- Official statistics in development
- Data provider
- Welsh Government
- Data source
- Looked After Children Census
- Time period covered
- April 2016 to March 2025
- Dataset ID
- 72fdf96c-67f0-4c74-ae0c-8397cc9980de
Overview
- Summary of dataset and variables
From 2016-17, looked after children data is now collected during the year through the Looked after children Census. This has replaced the existing datasets Looked After Children (SSDA903), Adoptions of looked after children (AD1), Educational qualifications of care leavers (OC1) and Care leavers on their 19th birthday (OC3).
This table presents figures about children looked after by Welsh local authorities. Children looked after include those on care orders and other children provided with accommodation by their local authority. Some children are also looked after because the local authority provides accommodation for respite purposes - the figures in this table exclude these children.
- Data collection or calculation
Anonymised individual child level data is extracted from local authority administrative systems and returned electronically to the Data Collection team within the Welsh Government using an online secure data transfer system called 'Objective Connect'. Welsh Government analysts then apply an extensive series of validation checks to ensure that the information provided uses the correct codes and is internally consistent.
- Statistical quality
Please find this information in the related statistical publication, as per the given weblink.
- Rounding applied
Values have been rounded to the nearest 5. Values less than 5 have been suppressed and are shown as 'c'.
- Related reports
Published by
- Organisation
- Welsh Government
- Contact email
- stats.pss@gov.wales