More than one in eight children in care in Hertfordshire bounced between homes

The Children’s Commissioner wants councils to spend money on increasing their homes’ capacity
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More than one in eight children in care in Hertfordshire were bounced between at least three homes in the past year, a new report has revealed.

The Children’s Commissioner says local authorities where vulnerable children are frequently moved are failing with apparent poor planning and lack of care.

In Hertfordshire, 122 children in care were moved between homes at least twice in 2018-19, according to the commissioner’s Stability Index 2020 report.

The photo has been used for illustration purposesThe photo has been used for illustration purposes
The photo has been used for illustration purposes

This number was up from 110 from the year before, and meant 13% of the children in care were moved twice or more in 2018-19.

In the East of England, Luton had the highest proportion of children in care living in at least three different homes in 2018-19, at 14%.

Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner, wants councils to spend money on increasing their homes’ capacity to reduce reliance on private operators and bring stability into children’s lives.

She also found a lack of local authority provision has meant, nationally, around one in eight children are now spending time in unregulated accommodation where they faced the risk of exploitation from criminals.

She said: “I am worried the whole system is becoming immune to the devastating effect this is having on children who may have previously been abused and neglected, or have serious mental or physical health needs.

“These children are being failed by the state.”

The Stability Index 2020 also revealed 101 children in care in Hertfordshire, 15%, lived in at least four different homes over 2017-18 and 2018-19.

This was more than the national average of 12% – nationally, 6,400 children were moved on three or more occasions.

Hertfordshire County Council has made improvements to ensure secure and stable placements for children.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "Improving placement stability has been and remains a priority area for Hertfordshire’s Children’s Services.

"We have made considerable improvements to ensure secure, stable placements working alongside our dedicated foster carers, children’s home staff and third sector providers, as well as taking on the views of the young people who we look after.

"During the year 2019/20 the number of children who moved twice reduced by 20 (10.8% of all children in care).

"Improvements have continued this year and in the 12 months up to the end of October 2020, 84 children looked after had moved twice (8.5% of all children in care).

"This compares with a national average of 10%."

The Department for Education is launching an independently-led Care Review into the children’s social care system.

A spokeswoman said: “The Education Secretary has been clear that no child should be denied the opportunity for a loving, stable family life, or be ‘bounced around’ the care system in accommodation that does not meet their needs.

“We have also set out that children under the age of 16 should not be living in unregulated homes.”