Information on children in care is usually sourced from the Looked After Children database but this cannot be used to answer this question. However, data on pupils in care is also collected via the School Census and the latest information is shown in the table.
This census shows that there were 34,390 pupils aged five to 19 attending primary, secondary and special schools classed as being in care as at January 2008. Data published by the Department as SFR 23/2008: Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008, shows 47,600 children aged between five and 19 as being looked after as at 31 March 2008. However the School Census does not cover all looked after children; information is not collected for pupils in alternative provision, including pupil referral units, FE colleges, voluntary provision and those not in education or training. These differences in coverage will explain the different counts to an extent, but it is possible that the School Census undercounts the number of looked after children in primary, secondary and special schools.
All pupils aged 5 to 19 Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and have statemented special educational needs Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and have non-statemented special educational needs Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and were children in care Number of pupils who had statemented special educational needs and were children in care Number of pupils who had non-statemented special educational needs and were children in care Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals, had statemented special educational needs and were children in care Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals, had non-statemented special educational needs and were children in care 2004 70,920 322,430 5,530 7,500 10,680 1,210 2,440 2005 66,290 321,920 5,760 7,530 11,340 1,170 2,590 2006 62,180 322,710 5,730 7,890 12,270 1,120 2,520 2007 59,410 326,310 5,590 8,600 13,630 1,120 2,510 2008 56,670 330,900 5,400 8,570 14,120 1,090 2,510 1 Includes primary and secondary schools and all special schools (excludes general hospital schools). 2 Includes dually registered pupils and boarding pupils. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census
The Government are implementing a comprehensive national programme to strengthen schools’ capacity to manage behaviour. This includes targeted support for schools, high quality training, curriculum materials and consultancy support. We have also strengthened the law to help protect schools from challenges to their authority from pupils or parents, and enable them to foster a safe and orderly learning environment.
We are encouraging schools to develop a whole-school approach to improving social and emotional wellbeing and continuing to reduce behavioural difficulties, by promoting the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Programme and by publishing guidance on the management of behaviour.
In this context, last May we issued revised guidance on the education of children and young people experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties as a special educational need (BESD). We have also commissioned the National Strategies to provide a wide range of support and advisory services, including continuing a professional development scheme, which includes study materials on managing behaviour in schools and addressing BESD.