Official Statistics: Stability measures for children looked after in England: 2026

The UK Department for Education will release official statistics in 2026 detailing the stability of Children Looked After (CLA) in England. These statistics will cover both placement stability and the consistency of professional support for CLA as of March 31, 2026.

Why it matters

The stability of care arrangements and professional support is critical for the well-being and developmental outcomes of children in state care. Data in this area allows for the evaluation of current policies and interventions, informing resource allocation and strategic planning to improve child welfare systems.

Key insights

• The UK Department for Education is preparing official statistics.
• The statistics will focus on 'Children Looked After' (CLA) in England.
• The core metrics are stability in placement and professional support.
• The reporting period for these statistics is for CLA as of March 31, 2026.
• This is an upcoming report, and specific data or trends are not yet available.

Source

UK Department for Education — https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/stability-measures-for-children-looked-after-in-england-2026