Mark Whitehead 03 January 2023

'Shocking' findings on children in care

Shocking findings on children in care image
Image: Kilito Chan/shutterstock.com

A charity campaigning for children in care is calling on the Government to address the instability faced by many children in the care system.

A report from the charity Become collated figures from local authorities in England which revealed that an average of 79 looked-after children moved between different foster carers or children's homes each day between December 2021 and January 2022.

This was a total of 1,257 children, some of whom were moved more than once.

Chief executive Katharine Sacks-Jones said: ‘The findings are as shocking as they are upsetting.

We are calling on the government to take urgent and ambitious action to ensure children and young people in care have the same opportunities as other children to thrive.’

One young person Become supports said: ‘Christmas often reminds me that I don’t have a ‘normal’ family.’

The report calls on the government to provide additional funding to boost the number of children’s homes in areas that need them and to invest in recruiting more foster carers.

The charity sent Freedom of Information requests to all 151 local authorities in England.

Responses were received from 144 (96%) of councils. The number of children moved during Christmas ranged from zero in one local authority to 5 4 in another.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Technician - Maintenance

Essex County Council
£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs Co-Ordinator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Be the heart of our community - help us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we believe th England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Museums Operations Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP26 - 31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
Sandwell Museums is looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Regulation and Compliance Assistant - WMF2056e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586 pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Licensing Team within Westmorland and Furness Council Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Community Finance Officer - WMF2059e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£33,366 - £34,314
You will be working in a busy operational finance service Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner