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Data tracker

How many Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) applications are there each quarter?

Quarterly DoL applications, July 2023 – December 2025

What is the gender distribution of children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) applications?

Gender of children subject to DoL applications, October-December 2025

How old are children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) applications?

Age of children subject to DoL applications, October-December 2025

How does the number of deprivation of liberty (DoL) applications compare to applications for secure accommodation orders?

Number of DoL and secure accommodation (s.25) applications, October-December 2025

Last year saw the steepest rise in private law applications in the last 10 years

There is variation in the use of section 20 across regions

White and Mixed ethnicity children are more likely to leave proceedings on legal permanence orders (adoption and special guardianship orders)

What is the ethnicity of children in care proceedings in public law proceedings across England?

Ethnicity of children in care proceedings (%), by region

What is the ethnicity of children in public and private law proceedings?

Ethnic group of children in public and private law proceedings, England and Wales

Publicly funded mediation has declined since 2013

 

 

There are more babies and young children in public law proceedings than in care

Vocational pathways into higher education are more common for care leavers

Infographic

What do we know about children in the family justice system?

Our regularly updated infographic highlights what we know, and what we don’t know, about children’s journeys through the family justice system based on national administrative data.

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