To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average weekly cost to the public purse of housing a looked-after child in an independent children’s home was in the last 12 month period for which figures are available. (276651)

The average weekly cost of accommodating a looked-after child in an independent children’s home is not collected centrally by this Department. However, information obtained from the Office for National Statistics shows the average weekly unit cost of a child in a children’s home, (including independent homes) is £2,402.