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Better lives for children in care

DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES News Release (2007/0210) issued by The Government News Network on 15 November 2007

The Children and Young Persons Bill published today in Parliament, aims to improve the lives of the 60,000 children in care.

Since 1997, the Government has spent almost £1 billion on children in care but there remains a significant gap between the quality of life of young people in care and other children.

Children in care are still five times less likely to achieve five good GCSEs and a quarter of people in prison have been in care.

Kevin Brennan said:

"The state has been a poor parent to children in care for too long and we want to change that. We should have the same ambitions for these children as we have for our own.

"We consulted with children and young people in care and they told us they want greater stability which we aim to give them, for example, by limiting placement moves in their GCSE years. We want children in care to have a greater say about what happens to them.

"We must bring stability into their lives and re-build their confidence so they have the best possible start in life"

The Bill will ensure that:

* Young people up to the age of 18 will not be required to leave their care placement before they are ready to live independently and will get support as long as they need it through a personal adviser up to the age of 25. These advisers will guide care leavers through education and career decisions.

* A £2000 bursary will be given to children in care who go on to university.

* The quality and stability of placements will be improved and "out of authority" placements will be limited.

* More children will be supported to live with their families, but of course, only where appropriate.

* There will be an increased focus on the quality of care planning and ensuring that the child's voice is heard when important decisions that affect their future are taken.

* Schools will have more capacity to address the needs of children in care. A designated teacher will see the additional needs of children in care are treated as a priority for all schools.

* Local Authorities will see that children do not move schools as a result of care placement decisions, particularly in GCSE years, except in exceptional circumstances.

* The Bill is part of the wider Care Matters agenda, which builds on the Care Matters Green and White Papers.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Bill refers to England and Wales

2. The DCSF is spending approx £300m over the next four years for children in care to get a better start in life. Broken down this means £89/96/107m (approx) over the Comprehensive Spending Review period.

3. More than 12,000 young people in care were consulted on their views on the Government's proposals in the Green Paper Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care, which was published last October.

4. For media queries please contact Jenny Papaeliopoulos 0207 925 5106 or email jenny.papaeliopoulos@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

5. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/childrenandyoungpersonsbill

6. Any other queries should be sent to cyp.billteam@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

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