Comment on mothers visiting babies in care

ADCS President Jenny Coles said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has forced all local authorities to find new ways of supporting children and families within the current restrictions. We know that it can be incredibly difficult for those parents who have not been able to visit their children and social workers do all they can to make sure that families can spend time together. The use of virtual contact can be effective in some cases but this may be less suitable for very small children. Local authorities are working hard to reduce the impact of the health restrictions on children, parents and carers where possible whilst also keeping them safe. There are many factors to take into account, for example the availability of Covid-safe spaces or the health and age of foster carers. These decisions should be made on a case by case basis and informed by a risk assessment.

Where the decision is made to take a baby or younger child into care, it is made in the great majority of cases after intensive support with the child and family, in order to safeguard the child from serious harm. There is no right or wrong number of children in care but we are seeing an increase in cases of children who have complex needs that need to be met immediately. It is vital that local authorities and their partners are able to do all they can to support families to stay together, but cuts to early help budgets make this increasingly difficult. ADCS awaits the commencement of the government’s care review”

ENDS

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