Freedom of information response

Looked After Children

Publication date: 
Monday 25 March 2024
Request: 

1. The number of children in care (also known as "Looked After

Children") that your local authority is responsible for, that are currently placed in children's homes that are attending mainstream state education. In this definition please include mainstream academies, free schools and maintained schools but exclude independent boarding schools, special schools and Pupil Referral Units/alternative provision.

2. The total placement costs for children in care that your local authority is responsible for, that are currently placed in children's homes that are attending mainstream state education.

3. The highest annual placement cost any individual child in the financial year 2022/23 of children in care that your local authority is responsible for, that were placed in children's homes and were attending mainstream state education during that period.

Response: 

1. The number of children in care (also known as "Looked After

Children") that your local authority is responsible for, that are currently placed in children's homes that are attending mainstream state education. In this definition please include mainstream academies, free schools and maintained schools but exclude independent boarding schools, special schools and Pupil Referral Units/alternative provision. Fewer than 5

2. The total placement costs for children in care that your local authority is responsible for, that are currently placed in children's homes that are attending mainstream state education. £11,021.50 per week

3. The highest annual placement cost any individual child in the financial year 2022/23 of children in care that your local authority is responsible for, that were placed in children's homes and were attending mainstream state education during that period. £270,270.

We are unable to provide an exact number for question 1 above as: 

  • There is a low number involved. 

  • The release of this information could identify individuals which would constitute their personal data under the Data Protection Act  

  • There is no prior expectation on the part of these individuals that their personal information would be published in the wider public domain under the FOI Act 

  • Personal data of any other person is exempt under section 40 (2) of the Data Protection Act. 

However in the interests of transparency we are able to provide this information to you categorised as fewer than 5 to give you an indication of the figures 

Request reference:
FOI 13552