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Monitor shines light on children in care

29/08/2008

Nearly half of children in care or living away from home worry about their personal safety, a report published today suggests.

The first ever children's care monitor, which presents the results of a survey of 921 children, reveals that 40 per cent worry a little or a lot about their safety.

It shows those who are disabled are more than twice as likely to be bullied as able-bodied children, while most bullying itself takes place in residential special schools.

The study also suggests difficulties with the care system, with staff or the person with which children live being those children are least likely to turn to if they feel their safety is endangered.

Roger Morgan, children's rights director for England, said: "We know what government and local authorities are doing to develop plans and policies for children living away from home or who are in care.

"Now it's time for children to give their verdict and convey how well they think these services are doing for them by monitoring their own care."

Future monitors will be used to track changing attitudes and perceptions among children in care. The first monitor shows high levels of approval: 88 per cent said their care was good or very good and 81 per cent said the same about their education.

"Politicians and people working in the care field are keen to focus on the actual outcomes of what they do for children," Dr Morgan added.

"The monitor is children's own say, in great detail, on the outcomes they get."