The Care Crisis Review

In 2017 applications for care proceedings in England and Wales reached record levels. In response, the Family Rights Group (‘FRG’) and the Nuffield Foundation undertook a unique sector wide review.

The Review’s Aims and Objectives:

• to examine the reasons for the rise in care proceedings and number of children in care
• to at all times retain a focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and families
• to take account of the current national economic, financial, legal and policy context that impacts on families and on local authority and court practice
• to identify specific changes to local authority and court systems and national and local policies and practices that will help safely stem the increase in the number of care cases coming before the family courts and the number of children in the care system.

Following engagement with over 2,000 stakeholders, the ‘Care Crisis Review’ made 20 recommendations for change.

Work to implement the findings of the Review is ongoing. In the meantime Family Rights Group is working with politicians and key stakeholders to improve the child welfare system.

• The Care Crisis Review: Options for Change
• The Care Crisis Review: Summary of the Options for Change
• The Care Crisis Review: Factors contributing to national increases in numbers of looked after children and applications for care orders
• The Care Crisis Review: Care-experienced young people and adults survey result
• The Care Crisis Review: Family survey results
• The Care Crisis Review: Professionals survey results
• The Care Crisis Review: Children’s Principal Social Work Network survey findings
• The Care Crisis Review: Analysis of focus group responses from care-experienced young people