Disabilities in children receiving social care and support in Wales and factors associated with placement into care: A population-based data linkage study

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of disability amongst children receiving care and support in Wales (2017–2021), and examine the proportion of disabled children with different combinations of disabilities, by their care status (in care/not in care). To investigate risk factors associated with placement in care amongst these children.

Method

We used Children Receiving Care and Support Census records held in the Secure Anonymized Information Linkage Databank linked to demographic records and the Children Looked After Census. We used bar charts and UpSet plots for data visualization and conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to model factors associated with disabled children being placed in care.

Results

Of 37,765 children receiving care and support, 10,720 (28 %) had a disability and 3385 (32 %) disabled children were placed in care. The most common impairments were risk perception (44 %) and mental health problems (41 %). Infants <1 year were more likely to enter care compared with children aged ≥16 (Odds Ratio 3.00, 95 % Confidence Interval 1.93–4.66). Black children (1.64, (1.09–2.42)), and children of mixed (2.34, (1.77–3.08)), or ‘other’ (1.81, (1.16–2.77)) ethnicity were more likely to enter care compared with White children. Child mental health problems were associated with entering care (1.82 (1.60–2.07)) as were the following parental factors: mental ill health (1.45 (1.31–1.62)), substance/alcohol misuse (3.23 (2.87–3.64)), learning disabilities (2.97 (2.56–3.45)), and domestic abuse (1.47 (1.30–1.65)).

Conclusions

This novel, population-wide evidence will contribute to the planning and provision of targeted care and support for disabled children and their families, to help prevent children entering care.