ABSTRACT
At any one time there are around 60,000 children looked after in England. Comparable figures for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are 5,000, 13,000 and 2,500 respectively (Scottish Executive, 2006; DfES, 2007; DHSSPS, 2008). During 2005 to 2006, some 90,000 children entered the care system in England, with almost half returning home within six months, and most within 12 months. The majority of children coming into care are at least 10 years of age.
