In 2020, England hit 80,000 children recorded in the care system

Compared to the first records in 1994, there has been a drastic increase in the number of children looked after in care.

Every March the data is updated, these statistics include those who are adopted, care leavers and missing children.

The data provided to the public this year was recorded before the coronavirus pandemic which means there could be an effect on these figures now nearly a year later.

Compared to 2019, the number of children looked after in the care of local authorities has had a 2% increase, hitting the 80,000 mark.

Tom Collyer, fostered aged 11, now 21, said: “my parents lost their case before even stepping foot into court so I was moved instantly but I wouldn’t change anything at all.

“I was confused the day it happened, I was used to being in different homes of family members all the time and then I was suddenly picked up by my foster parents who were, and still are really kind and loving.

“Going into their house it felt more homely, they are my family and it was definitely the best decision for me.”

Sadly, it is 56% male in the care system and 39% of those would be placed between the ages of 10-15 years old.

Vanessa Benning, a teacher who has worked with children in cases similar to Mr Collyer said: “I’ve seen children taken into care suddenly due to different circumstances, some not very pleasant.

“It breaks my heart that in some cases it could have been avoided if the right help and support had been put in place for the family but I think the system tries to be as fair as possible.”

Ofsted updated national statistics on 22nd September 2020 after finding that out of the 12 million children living in England, just over 400,000 are in the social care system.