New government figures show some children have been sent to live over 100 miles from their loved ones.
At the best of times, children rely on support from their loved ones and take comfort from familiar places including their hometown. This is especially the case when they’re put into the care system. However, new government research, which was revealed via Parliamentary questions submitted today (25th March) by Jack Richards MP, shows more than 3,000 children in care have been moved up to 100 miles away from the people and places they love the most.
According to the data, the moves can be as far as another country, with children being sent to live in homes in Wales and Scotland.
Upsettingly, the research also found that these moves weren’t made to benefit the children involved, but rather due to a lack a suitable homes situated more locally.
Between 2020 and 2024 the data found:
- The number of children living 50 miles from home has risen from 6,850 to 7,350 – an increase of 7%
- Children living more than 100 miles from home has increased from 2,920 to 3,120 – yet another 7% rise
- 9% of all children in care are living 50 miles from home and 4% are living 100 miles from home
- The number of children living in England who were moved out of the country, mostly to Wales and Scotland, has risen by 9%
- More specifically, children who were moved to Wales has increased by 15%
‘Every child deserves stability, security and the opportunity to thrive,’ Jake said. ‘Too many children in care are being placed far from their families, schools and support networks making it harder for them to feel settled and supported.’
News of the research has come ahead of the second reading of his Private Members’ Bill – the Looked After Children (Distance Placements) Bill – a legislation that was proposed last October and is calling for councils to better support children in care.
‘This Bill is about ensuring that local authorities prioritise keeping children as close to home as possible and, crucially, begin to plan so that children can remain closer to home in the future,’ Jake continued.
‘The government are making great strides in fixing a broken social care system, and I hope they will consider this very modest reform that would greatly strengthen their agenda.’
Commenting on the latest findings, Katharine Sacks-Jones, CEO of Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, said: ‘It’s unacceptable that we’ve reached a situation where more children than ever are living more than 100 miles from everything they know because of a failure to provide suitable homes locally. We must act now to reverse this trend.
‘These moves often happen without warning and sometimes multiple times a year, leaving children far from friends, brothers and sisters, school and college and feeling lonely and isolated. This only leads to greater risk of exploitation or going missing, with real consequences for their lives and futures.
‘The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently passing through parliament, does not properly address the issue of improving sufficiency. We need a national commitment and strategy so that all children in care have a safe and suitable home in the right area and get the love and stability they deserve.’
Photo by Trym Nilsen
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