Rhaid derbyn mai poblogaeth dros dro yw’r boblogaeth sy’n derbyn gofal, gyda thraean o’r plant yn dychwelyd adref o fewn y chwe mis cyntaf. Pan nad oes modd iddynt ddychwelyd gartref, mae gofal gan berthnasau a chyfeillion yn llwybr amgen a phwysig tuag at sefydlogrwydd i’r plentyn, yn enwedig os ategir hynny gan gorchymyn preswylio neu orchymyn gwarcheidiaeth arbennig. Allan o’r cyfanswm o 5,726 o blant sy’n derbyn gofal, lletyir tua 1,406 o blant a phobl ifanc gan eu teuluoedd eu hunain, eu perthnasau neu gyfeillion, er bod y gyfraith yn parhau i’w hystyried yn ‘blant sy’n derbyn gofal’. Bydd y plant a’r bobl ifanc hyn yn ddarostyngedig i’r un systemau â phlant y gofelir amdanynt gan ofalwyr maeth, neu trwy drefniant gofal preswyl, er gwaethaf eu lleoli gyda’u teuluoedd eu hunain, eu perthnasau neu gyfeillion.
We must all acknowledge that the care population is transient, with a third of children returning home within the first six months.  Where this is not possible, family and friends care will often provide an important alternative route to permanence for the child, particularly where this can be supported by a residence order or a special guardianship order.  Of the total looked after children population ( 5,726), some 1,406 children and young people are accommodated by their own family, relatives or friends, but are still regarded in law as ‘looked after children’.  These children and young people will be subject to the same systems as children cared for by foster carers or in residential care arrangements, even though they are accommodated by their own family, relatives or friends.