Laura Sharman 05 July 2022

Over a fifth of children in care see family too little, research shows

Over a fifth of children in care see family too little, research shows image
Image: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

A 'significant' number of young people and children in care are unhappy with the contact arrangements with their families, a new report has shown.

The research by Coram Voice and The Rees Centre at University of Oxford found over a fifth of children felt they saw their mums, dads and siblings too little, leaving them feeling sad, angry and unsettled.

The children surveyed said inconvenient visiting times, long distances, the costs of travel, their family’s circumstances, and workers failing to make necessary arrangements were why they say their family less often than they wanted.

Young people in residential care were more dissatisfied with how often they saw their family compared to other types of placements, according to the report.

Linda Briheim-Crookall, head of policy and practice development at Coram Voice, said: 'The recent Care Review suggested the primary objective of the care system should be promoting the formation of lifelong loving relationships around children in care and care leavers. This can only be achieved if more is done to build rather than break relationships with the people who are already important to children in care. Our research showed that there is still some way to go to make this happen.

'Services and workers must listen to children and young people about who they want to see, when and how and seek to make this happen. Children in care should have the opportunity to spend time with the people who are important to them doing everyday things like playing games, having a meal or going for a walk with the dog.'

The report also found half of young people did not feel involved in decisions social workers made about their lives.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior User Centred Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

Essex County Council
£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner