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At any one time, the state is parent to about 60,000 children in England. The vast majority enter care because of family problems, rather than because of their own behaviour. Children are taken away from their parents for their own protection. Sadly, once they are in care, the future for most of them is bleak….
The situation for children in public care has changed significantly in the last three decades.
The biggest shift has been away from institutionalised, residential care towards foster care—and greater emphasis on trying to keep families together in the first place.
These days, at least two-thirds of children in care are with foster families rather than residential homes. The few thousand children who remain in children’s homes now usually share with four or five children, as opposed to the dozens of the large institutions of the past.
The care of these children is increasingly becoming more ‘holistic’, with efforts to ensure they gain academic qualifications, life skills such as looking after their own health or dealing with finances, and the confidence to discuss problems with those in authority.
But there is still a very long way to go to close the gap in achievement and aspirations between children in care and their peers. Here are just a few of the inequalities The Who Cares? Trust is working, with your support, to address:
- When they leave primary school, just under half of children in care will have reached the national curriculum test level expected for their age—compared with 82% of all children.
- Almost one third of children in care sit no GCSEs or vocational tests like GNVQs.
- Only 13% of children in care obtain five good GCSEs—compared with 62% of all children.
- Only 6% of care leavers go to university—compared with 38% of all young people.
- One third of care leavers are not in education, employment or training—compared with 13% of all young people.
- More than half of all children in care have at least one mental health problem—compared with one in ten of children in private households.
- On average, one in 10 children in care will have nine or more placements during their years in care, causing potential disruption to their education (if it involves moving school) as well as a constant sense of impermanence and instability in their lives.
- One quarter of the adult prison population has been in care and almost 40% of prisoners under 21 were in care as children.
- Young women aged 15 to 17 who have been in care are three times more likely than their peers (not in care) to become young mothers.
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT WORK
The Who Cares? Trust works to reduce these inequalities to improve the quality of children’s experiences of the ‘care system’ and to boost their chances of enjoying a long, happy, healthy, fulfilling life.
With your support, the Trust can continue to campaign on behalf of children in care and to make sure that central and local government take the messages from children in care into account when making decisions about their lives and the services they receive. We can continue to provide the practical advice and support these children and young people desperately need.
We are the only UK-wide charity working solely on behalf of children in care. Our work is based on 16 years’ experience researching and acting on the wishes and needs of children in care. Our track record in helping improve the way that both government and social workers work with children in care is second to none. We are committed, dynamic, pro-active and expert, but we are a small charity with limited resources. Our work helping these most vulnerable of children—and the people who care for them—is only possible with YOUR support.
Please give whatever you can to help us continue this vital work.
Donate regularly by standing order:
Giving by standing order is an agreement between you and your bank to make a regular donation to the Who Cares? Trust. The amount you give is up to you and for your convenience payments are automatically transferred from your bank or building society on the date of your choice. (See Standing Order form)
Make a single donation:
You can support the Trust’s work by making a single donation.
Sponsorship:
Ever thought about running a marathon? Climbing a mountain? Cycling from London to Paris? Organising a Coffee Morning with your work colleagues or any other event on behalf of a charity? If the answer is yes and you’d like to donate the proceedings to The Who Cares? Trust, please contact Susie Hall on 020 7017 2766 or e-mail her at: supporterservices@thewhocarestrust.org.uk.
Biking for children in care
Last year, Biking for Children in Care raised over £40,000, co-sponsoring the Believe in Me Awards and other Who Cares? Trust projects (click here for more information on the 2007 event). In 2005, the money raised went towards publication of health and drugs information booklets, while in 2006 it supported the Going Home project.
Many dedicated people have participated in Biking for Children in Care, but it is an amateur organisation, and those involved donate their time and effort to making it all happen. The superb support team makes the whole trip considerably more comfortable for the cyclists than it would be without them. Check out their website for pictures from last year.
An update will be coming soon on the success of the 2008 Biking for Children in Care event which took place between 26th–29th June. Early signs indicate that it will be one of the most successful ever!
If you would like to support this annual event, contact Susie Hall on 020 7017 2766 or e-mail her at: supporterservices@thewhocarestrust.org.uk.
View a list of our funders.
For a copy of our annual report, please e-mail: sales@thewhocarestrust.org.uk.
The WHO CARES? Trust is a Registered Charity (No. 1010518).
A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in London (No. 2700693).
VAT Reg. No. 577 8530 91