One in 10 looked-after children have high care placement instability

Rates of high care placement instability decreased slightly in 2024 according to latest official statistics – with the percentage of children facing three or more placements in a year falling from 11% to 10% compared with the previous year. With figures nonetheless charting high rates of instability for looked after children across a number of categories, the government has sought to bat off criticism with a statement alongside, highlighting planned changes to tackle the issue. The release includes data published for the first time on the number of different social workers that children experience in a year. The rate of children experiencing high social worker instability – three or more social workers in a year – was 27%. Children aged under one experienced the highest social worker instability at 34%. Read more.