November 18th 2024.
The Children’s Commissioner has recently brought attention to the social care system for its neglect of young people. According to the commissioner, placing vulnerable youth in accommodations such as caravans and Airbnbs has proven to be a "stark failure." It has been reported that many children, who are under court orders from the High Court, are being placed in highly unsuitable housing, which has raised concerns.
While it is true that most children under deprivation of liberty orders are in appropriate housing, there is a possibility that some may be falling through the cracks. Dame Rachel de Souza, England's Children's Commissioner, has sounded the alarm after publishing a report on children's rights and wellbeing. The number of children under Deprivation of Liberty (DoLs) has increased significantly, and this has become a cause for concern.
In her report, Dame Rachel stated that the basic rights of some children to safety and happiness are being overlooked in a system that prioritizes profit-making over protection. She also highlighted the experiences of some of the children who are subject to DoLs. According to the commission, the number of applications for DoLs has increased from 359 in 2020/21 to 1,368 in 2023.
In one case, a teenage girl with autism was placed in an Airbnb under supervision for nine months after pressure from her local authority to discharge her from the hospital. This decision was made as she did not meet the criteria to be held under the Mental Health Act. Another teenage girl, who had experienced domestic violence and neglect, was placed in a caravan after staying in foster care and a children's home. Later, she was moved to a children's home that was 120 miles away from her grandparents.
Dame Rachel expressed her concern that these children are living in a health and social care system that requires urgent investment and reform. She believes that their needs should be a top priority in the plans for children's social care moving forward. She stated, "The vast majority of children subject to deprivation of liberty orders are in the care system. Some are in specialist therapeutic homes or settings, but many are living in highly unsuitable conditions, such as illegal children's homes, Airbnbs, or even hospital wards while awaiting discharge."
Dame Rachel's report recommends that fewer children should be subject to DoLs and that those who are should never be placed in illegal homes. She also calls for a strengthening of the law in this area to ensure transparency and for children to have a stronger voice in the decision-making process. Oversight from a judge, with reviews every three months, is also recommended to ensure that local authority decisions are in the best interest of the child.
Furthermore, Dame Rachel emphasizes the need for radical investment in creating safe and suitable places for children to live and an end to profiteering in children's social care. She stated, "As Children's Commissioner, I want every child to grow up safe, happy, healthy, and engaged in their communities and education. Unfortunately, for children under deprivation of liberty orders, these basic rights are being ignored by a system that prioritizes profit over protection and allows decisions to be influenced by local resources."
In response to the commissioner's criticism, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that the experiences of children who have been deprived of their liberty are heartbreaking. She also acknowledged that the system has failed these vulnerable children, and immediate action is necessary. The government plans to develop new community-based provisions to meet their needs and provide them with the best chances in life. They also aim to tackle unregistered placements and shift the focus back to early intervention to help children succeed and thrive.
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