Outcomes for children in care: A tragedy of our time

[Deleted]

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-05-18/o...y-of-our-time/

There is no doubting the Government’s commitment to improving the life chances of children in care.

This is the third “headline” initiative in as many years.

We’ve had the Care Leavers Charter, the Care Leavers Strategy and now the promise of legislation. But is the rhetoric from central government having any impact?

Because there is also no doubting the absolute and continuing scandal of outcomes for children in care. It is in my view, one of the tragedies of our time.

We still have care leavers in bed and breakfasts – despite a promise from central government that that was to cease, and we still have too many inappropriate out of area placements despite repeated calls for that practice to end.

Outcomes are appalling, data collection still scant and some of our most vulnerable children left voiceless.

These are children the state promises to look after and then too often abandons at the age of 18.

Many of them have complex mental health problems and many end up homeless, or in prison or as sex workers and tragically as many as 1 in 6 may not live beyond their mid-twenties.

There is, I believe, plenty of sincerity from a team at the department of education to see a change.

But the raft of initiatives from central government – clearly proof of commitment - aren’t yet having the impact they should on the ground where local authorities have to deliver change.

I have watched them promise change before and so far seen little difference. I hope this time the rhetoric becomes reality.

[I Push Buttons]

Is this about orphanages or something? Is that what "in care" means in the UK?

If so, what more can they do after the kid turns 18? I assume they give them schooling and provide for them prior to 18 do they not?

[The Stormbringer]

What the heck are "children in care"?

[Deleted]

I don't think we've called them orphanages in over 50 years here

[Kalis]

What the heck are "children in care"?

Children under the care of the authorities.

[Deleted]

Now then, now then,otherwise known as Saville fodder.