Three quarters of children inside the care system experience being moved from placements and schools, as well as changes in social worker. These are the latest findings from the Children’s Commissioner’s Stability Index, an annual report which looks at the extent to which children are moved around the care system.
The report includes the following statistics:
- There are over 70,000 children currently in care
- Only 1 in 4 children in care experienced no placement move, no school move and no social worker change within a year.
- Only 1 in 10 children experienced none of these changes over two years.
- Nearly 2,400 children (6% of children in care attending school) experienced a placement move, a school move and a change in social worker all in 2016/17.
- Over 350 children (1% of those in care attending school) experienced multiple placement moves, a mid-year school move and multiple social worker changes all within the same year.
- Over 3,000 children (6% of those in care in both 2015/16 and 2016/17) experienced four or more placement moves over two years.
- 1,300 children (3% of those in care in both 2015/16 and 2016/17) experienced multiple placement moves in both years.
- Nearly 4,400 children (6% of all children in care) experienced multiple social worker changes two years in a row.
- Over the longer term, most children in care experience a placement move. Over a period of three years, nearly 2,500 children experienced five or more changes.
- Over a period of four years, 2,700 children experienced five or more changes.
While the report tells us that rates of instability have not increased, and that there may be good reasons for placement changes, the number of children involved is staggering, as is the idea that we should accept instability when it comes to children who are in need. Children inside the care system need stability as much as, if not more, than children living in functional households.
The report also highlights another important area, which is data collection. In her executive summary, the Children’s Commissioner explains that the findings are limited because the quality of national data is inadequate. This is something we have written about often, and remains one of Researching Reform’s bug bears.
If you have a chance to look at the report, do tell us what you think.
Researching Reform 
The irony of it is that so often after a mother has cured herself of whatever fault social services had found in her and asks for the return of her children the judge blandly replies that they are now very happy where they are and that it would be a shame and clearly not in their interests to disturb them now !
By the way I should point out that there are indeed around 70,000 children in care but that figure refers to ENGLAND alone ! Add in Scotland,Wales,and N.Ireland and the figure is around 100.000 ! Why don’t they tell us that??
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is a damning indictment of our care system and the truth we have to face is; that children who have to go into care – for one reason or another, get a pretty awful deal at the beginning of their lives. Too many signs also point to things not improving for most, although a few may be lucky. All the more reason for us to keep up the pressure on those who hold the purse-strings and control the destiny of all of us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes children get shocking treatment when taken into care !
1:-Laptops and mobile phones confiscated to isolate them from family and friends
2:-They are forbidden to ask visitors when they can come home ,,forbidden to report abuse in care or to criticise social workers or fosterers,forbiddeen to discuss any court case involving them !
3 :- They are if foreign, forbidden to speak their native language to visiting parents or even other siblings in care and compelled to speak in English or not speak at all !
Did I hear mention of emotional abuse?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: THREE QUARTERS Of Children In Care Ping Ponged Around The System « Musings of a Penpusher
Reblogged this on tummum's Blog and commented:
The report also highlights another important area, which is data collection. In her executive summary, the Children’s Commissioner explains that the findings are limited because the quality of national data is inadequate. This is something we have written about often, and remains one of Researching Reform’s bug bears.
If you have a chance to look at the report, do tell us what you think.
LikeLike
Pingback: THREE QUARTERS Of Children In Care Ping Ponged Around The System | tummum's Blog
“the Children’s Commissioner explains that the findings are limited because the quality of national data is inadequate.”
its not inadequate, its more a case that Local Authorities protect and withhold data because they know a lot of it can get them into trouble.
withholding information is one their best tactics to evade complaints that could lead to investigations.
Lies and Deception. thats the name of their game and they are Damn good at it.
Ofsteds evidence gathering is also extremely poor which is putting children at further risk of harm. they are not asking the right questions such as,
why Social workers are not being reported to the Police when they have been caught Lying in court on Oath and falsifying information to damage parents. Judges are responsible for this.
Why their complaints procedure rarely ever gets a result for the complainant. because its rigged.
Why Children in care are being denied an independent voice.
Why NYAS dont report being blocked from working with children by Social workers.
Why school heads dont report suspicious situations with Social workers who sever contact between children and their parents while expecting the school to comply with it and help cover up the truth.
than the list goes on.
LikeLike
Pingback: ‘THREE QUARTERS Of Children In Care Ping Ponged Around The System’ – Support Not Separation
Pingback: New Research Shows Alarming Number of Children Being Bounced Around the Care System | Researching Reform