State of the Borough: Best Start
We want Camden to be a borough where every child has the best start in life.
The report focuses on the outcomes that are important for living a good life in Camden, based on the Good Life Camden (GLC) framework. This identifies the things that are important and how to measure them.
Find key facts and figures, as well as the full chapter report.
Affordability of life in Camden
- In 2024, 1 in 5 children in Camden were living in relative poverty. After housing costs are considered, this rises to 2 in 5
- Participation in early years education is lower in Camden than London or the national average at 65%
- In 2024/25, childcare for children aged 3 to 4 cost £11,600 per year, after free hours are applied
Safety at home
- At the end of March 2025, there were 205 Children Looked After (CLA) in Camden's Care and 155 children subject to a Child Protection Plan
- In March 2024, there were 85 approved foster carers in Camden in 65 approved foster homes
Opportunities for young people when they leave school
- In 2025, the provisional average result for pupils in Camden state-funded schools achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths at GCSEs is 62.8% - lower than the average for England (64.5)
- In 2023/24, 90% of Key Stage 4 pupils in Camden progressed to sustained education destinations, such as sixth form
- All Camden secondary schools have sixth forms and 65% pupils continued into their school's own sixth form
Safety, inclusivity and accessibility of schools
- In 2024/25, more than 1 in 4 secondary school pupils were persistently absent, which is one of the highest shares in London
- In 2023/24, Camden primary schools had 94 suspensions and no permanent exclusions. Secondary schools had 1,074 suspensions and 25 permanent exclusions
- In 2025, there were 1,607 children who are Camden residents with a Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
