National Assembly for Wales

For children who were looked after during the reporting year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, the average time spent in care during 2020-21 was 298 days. Children looked after exclusively under a series of short-breaks are excluded and some of these children may already have been in care prior to 1 April 2020 or may still be in care since the 31 March 2021.  

For children who were looked after during the reporting year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, there were children in every local authority who were looked after for the full year.

The table below shows the number of children looked after who were in care for 365 days during 2020-21. Children looked after exclusively under a series of short-breaks are excluded and some of these children may already have been in care prior to 1 April 2020 or may still be in care since the 31 March 2021.  

Published statistics about the numbers and characteristics of children looked after by local authorities in Wales, including placement and legal status are available on the following link to the StatsWales website - Children looked after (gov.wales)