Criminalisation of children in care

Helen Lincoln, Chair of the ADCS Families, Communities and Young People Policy Committee, said:

“Directors of children’s services share the concerns outlined in this paper about the unnecessary criminalisation of children in care. In 2018, the Association was involved in developing the national protocol aimed at addressing this issue, however, we maintain that protocol in and of itself can’t solve everything. Relationships between homes and their local police force are important as is training for staff. The review of children’s social care presents an opportunity to reinvigorate and strengthen partnership working as well as protections for children in care.

“It is important that the range of professionals who come into contact with children in care understand what lies behind a child’s disruptive behaviour, such a bereavement, earlier abuse or extreme neglect, and that responses are suitably proportionate. Wherever possible alternative solutions should be explored to prevent children in care from being criminalised needlessly which can have a long-lasting impact in their lives. Restorative solutions are particularly relevant here.”

Ends

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