Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many places in Secure Children's Homes were available in England and Wales as of 7 February 2023.

A daily record of the number of places available in secure homes on any specified date during the year is not held centrally.

The latest information on the number of places available in secure homes in England and Wales, which reflects the position as at 31 March 2022, is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-accommodated-in-secure-childrens-homes. Information relating to the 31 March 2023 will be published in May 2023 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/children-accommodated-in-secure-childrens-homes-england-and-wales-31-march-2023.