Festive turmoil for foster kids as 2000 children moved on over the Xmas break
Thousands of children in care are shunted to new digs miles away from loved ones over the festive season.
More than 2,000 vulnerable children were forced to change foster homes over the last Christmas break, research shows. Last night there were calls for urgent action as the Tories were accused of neglecting the nation’s most vulnerable young people. One in four kids in care were moved more than 20 miles away from friends and family over last December and January this year, data uncovered by Freedom of Information requests reveals. Some even had to up sticks at least twice. And, despite ministers pledging to provide youngsters in care with “love, safety and stability”, it is feared the same fate befell youngsters this Christmas.
Helen Hayes (PA)Campaigners say a lack of suitable local places means children are being placed further and further away. Matt Dalton, 27, who entered care just before his 16th birthday, said the system was appalling. The psychiatric worker, from Sussex, added: “I’m upset and angry that care experienced children are still being moved, especially at the most difficult time of year. The Government has made young people feel neglected. We are left to fend for ourselves until life returns to normal after the festivities. The uncertainty of changing homes impacts your ability to feel relaxed and settled because you’re always wondering when you’ll have to move on.”
Another young person, who joined a new home last Christmas, told how it was their fourth move in just eight months. Helen Hayes, shadow minister for children and early years, called for urgent Government action. The MP for Dulwich, South London, said: “Children in care deserve the same sense of love and belonging as every other child, yet these figures lay bare the bitter reality of 13 years of Conservative failure. As families gathered to celebrate Christmas together, some of the most vulnerable children who need love and stability are being given the very opposite.”
Katharine Sacks-Jones (Supplied)More than 82,000 youngsters now live in care. Some 57,690 moved homes between 2022 and 2023 – up from 54,620 in 2021. Katharine Sacks-Jones, boss of care-leavers charity Become, which conducted the research, is calling for more local authority funding to tackle the issue. She said: “To be moved at Christmas, as friends enjoy family meals, gifts and the usual festive cheer, is even more heart-breaking. Instability in the care system is getting worse and many more children will have been moved again this Christmas. We need urgent action from the Government to stop this from being repeated yet again next year.”
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A Government spokesman said: “We want to create loving and stable homes for young people in care and our ambitious reforms focus on more early support for families, with plans backed by £200million to test and refine our approach.”
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