More than 3,000 children in care seek help for abuse and neglect
16:08 - 09/03/2011
More than 3,000 children in care seek...
ChildLine has released a report revealing that 3,196 fostered and looked-after children contacted them in the year 2009-10 with problems related to being in care.
In 2009, there were over 83,000 children in foster, residential or other forms of care and one in 26 of these contacted ChildLine. The confidential support service has reported that children as young as five are contacting them after suffering physical and sexual abuse or neglect while in care.
Many children also spoke about feeling lost, helpless or unsettled in the care system and reported moving residence several times in a year. Some children admitted to self-harming or running away.
The NSPCC are now calling on local authorities to provide better support for fostered and looked-after children, such as ensuring that they always have an adult advocate to speak up for them when they have concerns. At present, children only have the right to this service if they want to make a formal complaint about the care system.
Official figures reveal that the number of children taken into care increased by 8% in the year 2009-2010 while there continues to be a record level of applications to place children into care. Increased pressures on the care system may be having a negative impact on the experiences of many children, as ChildLine have seen a 30% rise in the number of looked-after children contacting them over the last five years.
Peter Live, Director ChildLine, said: “Most children in care are well looked after by dedicated carers and professionals. But a minority continue to be failed by the care system. When this happens, children need to know there is someone there to speak up for them who is independent from the local authority.
“Every day, looked-after children talk to us about lives filled with pain and hurt. After the trauma they’ve been through, children need a special quality of care – at least as good as a good parent can offer.”
First Response Training can provide Child Protection training for those working closely with children and young people. Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “This course provides staff with an introduction to the important topic of child protection. It teaches delegates about their responsibilities for safeguarding children and how to work safely as a team with the protection of children in mind.
“It covers the relevant policies and procedures, where abuse may occur and the signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as discussing the different types of abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual. The course focuses on taking action and the correct channels to follow if you suspect that abuse is taking place. It is an essential course for anyone working in the childcare sector.”
For more information, please call First Response today on 0800 310 2300.
In 2009, there were over 83,000 children in foster, residential or other forms of care and one in 26 of these contacted ChildLine. The confidential support service has reported that children as young as five are contacting them after suffering physical and sexual abuse or neglect while in care.
Many children also spoke about feeling lost, helpless or unsettled in the care system and reported moving residence several times in a year. Some children admitted to self-harming or running away.
The NSPCC are now calling on local authorities to provide better support for fostered and looked-after children, such as ensuring that they always have an adult advocate to speak up for them when they have concerns. At present, children only have the right to this service if they want to make a formal complaint about the care system.
Official figures reveal that the number of children taken into care increased by 8% in the year 2009-2010 while there continues to be a record level of applications to place children into care. Increased pressures on the care system may be having a negative impact on the experiences of many children, as ChildLine have seen a 30% rise in the number of looked-after children contacting them over the last five years.
Peter Live, Director ChildLine, said: “Most children in care are well looked after by dedicated carers and professionals. But a minority continue to be failed by the care system. When this happens, children need to know there is someone there to speak up for them who is independent from the local authority.
“Every day, looked-after children talk to us about lives filled with pain and hurt. After the trauma they’ve been through, children need a special quality of care – at least as good as a good parent can offer.”
First Response Training can provide Child Protection training for those working closely with children and young people. Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “This course provides staff with an introduction to the important topic of child protection. It teaches delegates about their responsibilities for safeguarding children and how to work safely as a team with the protection of children in mind.
“It covers the relevant policies and procedures, where abuse may occur and the signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as discussing the different types of abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual. The course focuses on taking action and the correct channels to follow if you suspect that abuse is taking place. It is an essential course for anyone working in the childcare sector.”
For more information, please call First Response today on 0800 310 2300.
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