Family Law

New statistics released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families reveal that there has been an increase in the number of children who run away while in care in England.

Last year 950 children ran away while in care in England. In 2005, 860 looked after children went missing and 890 went missing in 2006. Although there was a rise of missing children, the number of children in care has fallen from 85,300 in 2005 to 83,400 last year.

Each child is counted only once even if they ran away several times. They apply to those missing for at least 24 hours.

More information, including the report Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2007, can be found on the DCSF website: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000741/index.shtml