A growing number of children are in the care of Bradford Council, new data reveals.

There are 77 extra young people being looked after by the local authority than there were 18 months ago.

Numbers have increased across the country, according to a report to the Council’s children’s services scrutiny committee.

The report also highlights the positive achievements of some people who had been in care in the district.

Six are set to graduate from university this summer and 13 others plan to start higher education this year.

One graduate has taken a position as a doctor at a Bradford hospital.

Other success stories include three care leavers on the Council’s Working Neighbourhood-funded apprenticeship scheme. Seven more are on ‘work tasters’ in preparation and seven others are awaiting confirmation of apprenticeship places.

New regulatory inspections by Ofsted have been designed to focus on outcomes for Looked After Children and the Council expects an announced inspection this year.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, education spokesman for the Council’s Conservative group and chairman of the children’s services scrutiny committee, said: “We have a number of successes which show wherever you start in life, with the right support, you can achieve some very significant outcomes.

“It’s testament to these young people’s determination and to the support around them that they have been able to overcome their barriers.” Local authorities have a responsibility as corporate parents until young people reach 21 or until 24 if the young person remains in higher education or training. Bradford has 912 Looked After Children compared to 835 in 2008.

A Council spokesman said: “Post-Baby P all local authorities have seen significant increases in their Looked After numbers and Bradford is no different. The Southwark judgment has also led to further increases in Looked After Children numbers for all local authorities.”

The judgment made in the House of Lords last May clarified when local authorities should provide accommodation for lone 16 and 17-year-olds.

The Baby Peter case saw health visitors, doctors and social workers blamed for failing to notice a catalogue of abuse endured by the 17-month-old in Haringey, London.

According to the Council document, Bradford is succeeding in placing the majority of children within the district with in-house foster carers or in-house residential placements. Carers and residential placements are also used.