0 used to refer to children who are taken care of by social services because their own parents are unable to look after them: --
Around 12% of looked-after children were in residential homes.
Overall, the average time taken to adopt a looked-after child is more than three years, which is an eternity in a child's eyes.
We take a two-pronged approach, and the primary role is undoubtedly with respect to looked-after children.
We want a transformation in the quality of care that local authorities provide for looked-after children.
There is a much higher proportion of looked-after children among ethnic minority populations, and they experience another raft of problems disproportionately.
We all accept that adoption is the best option for many looked-after children who cannot live with their birth families.
Work is under way to establish the feasibility of obtaining information about births among looked-after children, taking account of legal and confidentiality considerations.
We believe that advocacy has a very important role to play in protecting the interests of looked-after children.
That must be considered in the context that the vast majority of looked-after children now live in foster homes, not care homes.
