Children in care: Where do children entering care at different ages end up? An analysis of local authority administrative data

an article by Elsbeth Neil (Centre for Research on Children and Families, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK and ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK), Lisanne Gitsels (ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK) and June Thoburn (Centre for Research on Children and Families, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK) published in Children and Youth Services Review Volume 106 (November 2019)

Highlights

• After two years in care over one third of children (37%) had returned to their parents.
• Just under one third of children (31%) stayed at least two years in care.
• Age at entry was a very strong predictor of where children ended up.
• Children age 0–2 were more likely to be adopted than any other outcome.
• More than half (51%) of children entering care age 7–11 stayed long term in care.

Abstract

Local authorities in England are required to routinely collect administrative data on children in care and cross-sectional analyses of national data are published by central government.

This paper explores the usefulness of undertaking a longitudinal analysis of these data at local authority level to determine the care pathways for children entering care, differentiating by age at entry.

The sample consisted of 2208 children who entered care in one English local authority over a six-year period, and who were followed up for at least 2 years. A logistic regression model was fitted to explore factors associated with children staying long term in care.

Age at entry was a key determinant of where children ended up (return to a parent, special guardianship or residence order, adoption or staying long term in care).

Only a minority of entrants (mainly those entering care in their middle years) remained in longer term care.

For the vast majority of children, the ‘pre-care family context’ remains important as children will either return to parents or relatives or stay in touch with them. The findings are used to urge service planners to make full use of data on care entrants, especially age at entry, when deciding on the balance between the different placement options needed, and the social work service delivery models.

Full text (PDF 9pp)

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