This trend is increasing amid a lack of local foster care places for children, which is seeing councils forced to commission residential care homes in other local authority areas.
The County Councils Network's (CCN) research reveals that 4,600 children were placed far from home in 2023. This is up by almost a fifth on figures released in 2019.
It estimates out-of-area placements will increase further unless action is taken as the children in care population is set to rise by almost 10,000 within the next six years, topping the 93,000 mark across England.
Being called for by the CCN is legislation to require children and young people to be cared for within their local area, where appropriate. This should be enacted through a phased transition and designed alongside councils and providers.
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