The number of children in care in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) has fallen from 632 in June 2024 to 581 in March 2026, according to figures.
A report for the council's corporate parenting board on Tuesday, October 20, states that the number of looked after children has reduced when comparing data quarter by quarter and during 2025-2026 has been steadily decreasing to 581 in March 2026. This count includes the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
Steady decline in numbers
From the 632 figure in June 2024, the number fell to 627 in September 2024, 626 in December 2024, 618 in March 2025, 599 in June 2025, 592 in September 2025, 591 in December 2025 and then 581 in March 2026. Based on children looked after numbers as of April 15, 2026, most children live with relative carers.
The number has decreased by 3% when compared to the same time last year. Relative placements are the highest percentage of placement type for all children looked after aged 5 to 15 years. The report says this has been consistent for the last two years and that 62% of children aged under one year old are placed with RCT foster carers as of April 15.
Placement trends
In-house foster care placements continue to be higher than independent sector foster care, and the number of independent foster care placements has decreased by 3% compared to the same period in 2025 and by 4% compared to 2024. The number of children placed in external residential placements has decreased to 59 from 61 when compared to the same reporting period the previous year. The number of children placed with parents has decreased by 12 when compared to the same period last year and has decreased by 33 compared to 2024.
The figures for April 2026 include the unaccompanied asylum seeking children currently looked after. The report says 73% (414) of looked after children were living within RCT on March 31 this year and 157 (27%) children were in placements outside of RCT.
Out of county placements
The report adds that children who live out of county may do so due to the location of relatives or due to the availability of placements. It says that whilst the number of children who need residential care are closer to home, the overall out of county rate has remained stable when considering the percentage, and this will be kept under review. The figures for quarter four of 2025/2026 show that 5% of those living out of county are living outside of Wales.
