Vulnerable young people in care are set to receive better support as the government examines how they’re looked after.
Research from 2021 found one in three children in care received a youth justice caution or conviction between the ages of 10 and 17, compared with just 4% of other young people. Tonight, the government announced plans to review how the state supports these vulnerable individuals.
The review will examine how councils, schools and the police can better identify children at risk of crime and provide support, including specialised trauma counselling and peer monitoring schemes.
Meanwhile, it will also consider changes to the National Protocol, which guides local agencies on caring for children, to strengthen oversight of health services, schools and the police.
‘I’ve seen firsthand how children in care too often bear the brunt of other people’s failures to protect them,’ deputy prime minister David Lammy, said. ‘“Strengthening the Protocol will mean these children are treated as children, rather than criminals. Ensuring they get proper help and support means we can change the path they’re on, stop them turning to lives of crime and give them a more positive future.’
Today’s announcement, coinciding with National Care Leavers’ Month, comes as the Children’s Commissioner highlights that children in care are often treated disproportionately as criminals. Care leavers are four times more likely to be convicted and ten times more likely to be imprisoned than other young people.
Lamy continued: ‘Adopting our daughter was one of the happiest moments of my family’s life and every single day we are reminded how lucky we are.
‘But I know there are huge challenges for the many children who remain in the care system. Whether they’ve faced abuse and neglect from those who are supposed to love them or exploitation by vile criminal gangs who prey on their vulnerability, too many children in care have endured experiences no child should face.’
Officials said reducing the number of children in care entering the justice system could cut long-term crime rates and prevent at least 20,000 adults from ending up in prison. The improved protocol is expected to be published in Spring 2026.
‘Children in care face challenges no child should experience,’ Sarah Jones, minister of state for policing and crime, added. ‘Across government we are focusing on how to better join-up local authorities, schools, the police and others to prevent vulnerable young people from being drawn into crime and to make sure they have every chance to thrive.’
Photo: Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash
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