New data shows a care system which remains in crisis

Cathy Ashley, Family Rights Group’s Chief Executive said:

“Today’s data release on looked-after children shows a care system which remains in crisis. 

“An extremely high number of children continue to be looked after by the state. Almost half are living out of area, separated from their family, friends and support networks.

“While the proportion of children in kinship foster care with relatives and friends has continued to rise steadily, now at 16% of all children in the care system. This remains well below other countries like New Zealand.

“We know from research and our work with local authorities that too often the support that family and friends can offer is not consistently explored before children are removed from home. More children in the care system could be living safely in their families with the right support. This would provide better outcomes for children and reduce pressures and costs in the care system.

“Children and parents need support when challenges are emerging. Family and friends should be given the opportunity to find solutions with a right to a family group conference safely averting children going into care. Kinship care needs to be defined in law alongside the practical, emotional and financial support kinship families need. And no child in care or care leaver should be left isolated and alone, with the offer of Lifelong Links to build those loving relationships we all need.

“This data should be taken as a warning that the pace of reforms to date is not quick enough. We have the solutions to transform the child welfare system and support more children to remain safely in their family. With the will and the investment we can make it happen.”

Family Rights Group’s Act for Kinship Care campaign

We want to build a child welfare system which values and supports kinship care when children cannot remain at home. That starts with four transformative measures in law:

1. A statutory definition of kinship care. To improve recognition and understanding of kinship care in all its forms and establish the foundation for an effective support system.
2. A duty on local authorities to develop and publish a local offer for kinship families, setting out the support they offer.
3. A legal right for families to be offered a family group conference before social workers consider going to court to remove their children. To allow families to take a lead in finding safe solutions, including identifying potential kinship carers.
4. A right to paid employment leave, akin to adoption leave, to support carers to remain in work while giving us time to settle the children in.

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