The independent review of children's social care in England was published today, calling for a “radical reset” to improve the lives of children in care and their families.
Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE said:
“The children’s social care system urgently needs reform, with a much stronger focus on early help for families, and a new approach to supporting children who can’t live with their birth parents. We now have a unique, once in a generation opportunity to make sure these children have the same opportunities as we expect for our own children.
“This review is a stark reminder that young people who grow up in care often carry burdens that young shoulders shouldn’t have to bear. They are three times less likely to be in education, employment or training by the time they reach 19, and nearly half of children in care have a mental health disorder.
“Correcting this fundamental inequality for children in care is a major undertaking. However, if the Government can get the system right for these children, then we can truly start to ‘level up’ opportunities for everyone, right across the country.”