77 in 10,000 children are looked after (54 in England)
15% of looked-after children are there as a result of family dysfunction (10 per cent in England)
37% of 19-year-olds leaving care are in education, training or employment (47 per cent in England)
4% of children are looked after for six months or more (7 per cent in England)
A spokeswoman for Birmingham Council said the authority was trying to improve its aftercare service to provide better advice on training and education for those young people who leave its care. All young people have access to a project worker, who advises them on their future.
Birmingham has a higher than average number of looked-after children. Many are housed in 30 children's homes across the city.
Source: Census 2001, Department of Health.
