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“While it is encouraging to hear that the majority of children in care say life is getting better, clearly this important report highlights areas of concern, in particular the decline in wellbeing for care leavers.

Latest figures released today show there are 81,770 children in the care of councils.

New figures show the number of investigations carried out by councils where a child is thought to be at risk of harm is on average over 600 every day, underlining the need for councils to be adequately funded in next month’s Autumn Budget.

The number of children’s social care placements costing £10,000 or more per week has risen sharply in five years, a survey of councils by the Local Government Association reveals today.

A coalition of councils, charities and campaigners - including those with experience of the children’s care system - has written a joint open letter to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him in Wednesday’s Autumn Statement to provide the funding children’s social care “desperately needs…before it is pushed to the brink”.

“These figures emphasise how vital it is that next week’s Autumn Statement ensures that children’s services are adequately funded so councils can meet this rising demand and ensure children and their families get the support they need, as soon as they need it.

The largest independent providers of children’s social care brought in profits of more than £300 million last year, a new report commissioned by the Local Government Association reveals today.

“We urge the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care to consider these recommendations in their final report and are keen to work with the Government to ensure that children can live in the homes that best suit their needs and where they can thrive.”

"Councils want to work with government on a child-centred, cross-government pandemic recovery plan which offers the very best future for children and families."

“The CMA has confirmed our recent findings that private equity providers are making extremely high profits and carrying concerning levels of debt that risks the stability of homes for children in care, which is paramount if they are to thrive."