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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