To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many applications local authorities made for care orders in (a) July 2008, (b) August 2008, (c) September 2008, (d) November 2008 and (e) December 2008. (258304)

The Department collates statistics relating to children in the care system on an annual basis. The Children and Families Court Advisory Service (CAFCASS), an NDPB sponsored by the Department, holds data on the number of care applications received within each month.

The following table shows the number of care applications (Section 31 applications) received by CAFCASS from July to December 2008.