DfE urged to publish full figures for failed returns from care

The charity says the Department for Education, which currently publishes national-level figures for the number of children re-entering care, should also release the authority-by-authority data as they say it will help councils compare their rates of return of children.

Having access to data that shows “reunification breakdowns” across all areas will help children's services departments benchmark their performance against other authorities, and identify practice and processes that need improving, the NSPCC adds.

Data published by the DfE in 2013 showed that 30 per cent (3,050) of the 10,270 children who returned home from care in 2006/07 later returned to care in the five years up to 31 March 2012.

But NSPCC analysis of data for some local authorities found a huge variation in the "reunification breakdown" across areas, with some councils reporting an 11 per cent rate and others as high as 59 per cent.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Understanding what happens to children who return home from care is integral to authorities improving practice and outcomes for them.

"But we know from our work with local authorities that they face difficulties getting evidence about this issue.

"So the NSPCC is calling for data to be published by the DfE on re-entry to care rates.

“Local authorities have told us that they would find re-entry to care data valuable as a trigger for further investigation and improvement work.

"Authorities learn best from each other, and this data would give authorities information about their statistical neighbours, enabling them to get in touch with their peers to find out more about their approaches.”

Through a DfE-funded project, the NSPCC has worked with three local authorities to develop social work practice guidance for those working with children who re-enter care. The results of the research will be published in the autumn.

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), with which the NSPCC has held discussions recently the over the issue, said improving support for children who re-enter care is an important matter that needs greater focus.

Andrew Christie, chair of the ADCS health, care and additional needs policy committee, said: “Local authorities need to understand their local picture and be able to benchmark and learn from each other.

“Before data is shared and used to inform local decision making or to hold agencies to account, it is important that we consider how this may be presented, understand the contextual factors and ensure its accuracy. Otherwise we risk leaving the data open to misinterpretation.

“This issue hasn't received the attention it deserves, and we welcome the spotlight being turned on it.

“We look forward to working with the NSPCC, DfE and others to help our members improve every child’s journey through care.”?

The DfE spokesperson said: “We routinely publish information about looked-after children to help councils improve the ways in which they support these children and families. We’ve also changed the rules to ensure that where children return home from care, they have the help and support they need, and are working with the NSPCC on these issues.”