Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what forecasting they have carried out regarding the number of children in care aged 16 and 17 who will be living in supported accommodation settings that do not provide care in the next (1) one, (2) three, and (3) five, years.

The department does not currently publish forecasts of care places for children, including for 16 and 17 year olds who will be living in supported accommodation settings.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to make sure that there is sufficient provision in their area to meet the needs of children in care. The government will provide national support with forecasting, procurement and market shaping to local authorities to help them to manage the demand for and supply of children’s social care placements in their area.