Children in the care system are not getting their legal right to an essential ‘buddy’ as more than two thirds of councils admit leaving them on waiting lists, a children’s charity reveals.
A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) by Barnardo’s found that 1,202 vulnerable children were waiting to be matched with an independent visitor to support them. This represents a 20% increase since 2015.
The FOI, which was submitted to 152 local authorities, all of whom responded, found that 89% of children matched with an independent visitor are white, and the majority (92%) of children on waiting lists are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.
In addition, 10 local authorities stated that they do not provide an independent visitor service despite the Children Act 1989 placing a statutory duty on them to do so.
Independent visitors are volunteers who are separate from social care services. They offer emotional support, a trusting and stable friendship and enable the child to have fun and share in recreational activities.
There are currently around 75,400 children in care in England yet only 2,653 (3.5 per cent) of them have been provided with an independent visitor.
The FOI was carried out in collaboration with the National Independent Visitor Network (NIVN) which is hosted by Barnardo’s. The NIVN believes that local authority funding cuts have hampered their ability to recruit volunteers and match them with children.
Finding volunteers from BAME groups to match children who want to befriend someone from their own cultural background has also proved challenging, according to the charity.
Barnardo’s chief executive, Javed Khan, commented: ‘It is really disappointing that so many children in care are waiting to be matched with an independent visitor.
‘We know from our experience that these volunteers provide vital support for vulnerable young people, offering friendship, emotional support and a long-term, stable relationship with a trusted adult.
‘Having more than 1,000 children waiting for a befriender is not good enough. It’s also concerning that children in care from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are less likely to access this service.
‘We urge the Government to provide leadership in making sure all children in care can exercise their right to an independent visitor, and that the appropriate resource is available.
‘Local authorities not currently providing this service can contact the National Independent Visitors Network hosted by Barnardo’s for advice on how to meet their obligations towards children in care.’
