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Social services failure puts 5,000 children back in care each year Social services failure puts 5,000 children back in care each year
(6 months later)
Half of all children reunited with their families after leaving the care system end up returning to it, according to research that suggests a failure to support them is costing the taxpayer £300m a year.Half of all children reunited with their families after leaving the care system end up returning to it, according to research that suggests a failure to support them is costing the taxpayer £300m a year.
Research by the Centre for Child and Family Research at Loughborough University on behalf of the NSPCC finds that 10,000 children a year are returned home from care. But almost half of these reunifications break down, with the children returned to care. The charity warns that, far too often, children are not provided with support to remain safely at home, and calculates that £300m is spent each year rehousing them.Research by the Centre for Child and Family Research at Loughborough University on behalf of the NSPCC finds that 10,000 children a year are returned home from care. But almost half of these reunifications break down, with the children returned to care. The charity warns that, far too often, children are not provided with support to remain safely at home, and calculates that £300m is spent each year rehousing them.
Leanne, who ran away from home because of her mother's drinking, is a typical case, according to the NSPCC. On going home after foster care, she found herself trapped. "I gave it a chance, but things with mum got worse and worse," Leanne said. "She was drinking again, we had constant arguments and the flat was filthy. I felt isolated, but when I left messages for my social worker she wouldn't get back to me.Leanne, who ran away from home because of her mother's drinking, is a typical case, according to the NSPCC. On going home after foster care, she found herself trapped. "I gave it a chance, but things with mum got worse and worse," Leanne said. "She was drinking again, we had constant arguments and the flat was filthy. I felt isolated, but when I left messages for my social worker she wouldn't get back to me.
"I was with mum for five months, but it seemed pointless so I ran away again. I couldn't get into a refuge, so I slept rough for three nights. I was freezing and terrified that someone would hurt me. In the end I was put into another foster home, where I stayed until I was 16.""I was with mum for five months, but it seemed pointless so I ran away again. I couldn't get into a refuge, so I slept rough for three nights. I was freezing and terrified that someone would hurt me. In the end I was put into another foster home, where I stayed until I was 16."
Tom Rahilly of the NSPCC said: "The support we provide to these families urgently needs rethinking. Repeatedly moving in and out of care can profoundly damage our most vulnerable children. It is clear that there are gaps in services to tackle drug or alcohol problems, mental health provision and parenting support."Tom Rahilly of the NSPCC said: "The support we provide to these families urgently needs rethinking. Repeatedly moving in and out of care can profoundly damage our most vulnerable children. It is clear that there are gaps in services to tackle drug or alcohol problems, mental health provision and parenting support."
Studies suggest only 5% of parents with alcohol or drug problems get help. Many children who do return home to problem parents receive just one or two visits from social workers before they are left alone.Studies suggest only 5% of parents with alcohol or drug problems get help. Many children who do return home to problem parents receive just one or two visits from social workers before they are left alone.
The NSPCC estimates that ensuring proper care for children returning home would cost only £56m a year.The NSPCC estimates that ensuring proper care for children returning home would cost only £56m a year.
"By addressing these issues and providing social workers and other services with a clear framework to use, we can ensure that more successful reunifications take place in the future, and we hope the report will help local authorities in planning for this," Rahilly said."By addressing these issues and providing social workers and other services with a clear framework to use, we can ensure that more successful reunifications take place in the future, and we hope the report will help local authorities in planning for this," Rahilly said.
Kerry, another young girl who spent time in care, backed the NSPCC's call for children coming out of care to receive more help at home.Kerry, another young girl who spent time in care, backed the NSPCC's call for children coming out of care to receive more help at home.
"There needs to be more support given to young people returning home after care. If there was someone I could have talked to, to help me make sense of it all, then I might have been able to have a normal life. It wasn't until I was 17 and I'd left care that I spoke to other people who had family lives and realised how much I missed out on." "There needs to be more support given to young people returning home after care. If there was someone I could have talked to, to help me make sense of it all, then I might have been able to have a normal life. It wasn't until I was 17 and I'd left care that I spoke to other people who had family lives and realised how much I missed out on."