OCC Stability Index 2019

Commenting on the Stability Index 2019 Jenny Coles, ADCS Vice President, said:

“Achieving stability for every child in care is a top priority for local authorities as is ensuring children are safe and high-quality placements are available when and where they are needed. The number of children in our care has risen by 24% in the last ten years (ADCS Safeguarding Pressures 6) yet there has been no national government strategy to recruit more foster carers or address the nationwide shortage of residential placements, undermining local and regional efforts to minimise placement instability. The reasons why children are coming into care older and their needs are becoming more complex will vary, from greater professional and public awareness of child criminal and sexual exploitation, improved multi agency responses to safeguarding children rather than criminalising them and more unaccompanied asylum seeking children in our care to the continued impact of the Southwark Judgement in relation to local authorities’ responsibility for homeless 16-17 year olds.”

ENDS

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