Exploring local variation in the use of out-of-home care in England using linked administrative data

• Published in: International journal of population data science 2017-04, Vol.1 (1)
• Main Authors: Mc Grath-Lone, Louise, Harron, Katie, Dearden, Lorraine, Nasim, Bilal, Gilbert, Ruth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2399-4908
• DOI: 10.23889/ijpds.v1i1.273

ABSTRACT Objectives In England, approximately one in thirty children spend time in out-of-home care (OHC) by age 18.Use of OHC is known to vary across the country, which may be explained in part by ethnic group differences in the risk of being placed in OHC. This study uses linked administrative data to determine whether local variation in the cumulative proportion of children placed in OHC is explained by differences in the ethnic distribution of the local populations. Approach Administrative social care records from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 2012 for a one-third sample of children were linked to publicly-available local authority population estimates. Two artificial birth cohorts were selected for analysis; 1992-94 and 2009-11. The cumulative proportion of children who entered OHC was calculated for each of the current 150 local authorities (the local government bodies who deliver children’s social care services). Funnel plots were used to identify local authorities with higher or lower than expected rates of entry to OHC, taking into account the size of their child population and its ethnic distribution. Results Overall 3.3% of children in England born 1992-94 had entered OHC by age 18. Rates varied considerably by local authority from this national average, ranging from just 1.0% in Rutland to 6.9% in Manchester (both p