A total of 67,050 youngest were looked after by English Social Services departments in the year to March, according to the Department for Education.

The total in care rose two per cent in a year, which represents an increase of 13 per cent compared with March 2008, when social workers started recommending more children be taken into care following the death of Peter Connelly, known as Baby P.

Today’s figures showed 28,220 youngsters started to be looked after in 2011-12, three per cent more than in the previous 12 months.

The statistics also showed more youngsters being adopted, with 3,450 given permanent homes in the 12 months to April – the highest figure since 2007.

Children’s minister Edward Timpson said: “The rise in the number of adoptions and adoption placement orders is extremely welcome, but it still takes too long for those who want to adopt and foster to be approved.”