Making it better - how can the system improve

As the 2009 recession bit, one of the few things still selling well were children’s clothes. Parents instinctively put their children first.

The ‘corporate parent’ has no such instinct, it is constrained by budgets and cost-effectiveness strategies – and in practice is forced to give the happiness of children in its care equal time with rubbish removal and streetlighting.

Put your money where your policy is

Legislation to support children in care is already very strong. But it’s not consistently translated into reality on the ground. The decision to overlook the needs of some children until there’s a noisy, unavoidable crisis will ultimately create even greater costs for society as they struggle with the results of a small number of people feeling and generating a great deal of distress. Often this leads to a new generation of children born to parents who have no idea how to raise a child.

Funds need to be ringfenced so that decisions get made based on what’s best for the child, not what’s cheapest and least trouble in the short term.

More respect for better social workers

‘There are excellent social workers around, but when you look at the courses there are very, very few people who don’t pass. Local authorities are desperate for staff, so nearly everyone gets through.’

Social worker speaking to The Who Cares? Trust

The reputation of teaching as a profession has been transformed by powerful campaigns inviting bright graduates to apply, and offering them financial incentives to do so. Social work needs the same kind of support. If local authorities can easily fill posts, and there’s competition between strong candidates, the pressure on existing workers will decrease. This will make it easier for social workers to properly champion the children in their care, rather than continually fire-fighting the next emergency.

Foster carers and residential home workers

Similarly we need more foster carers and residential home workers, who enter the profession out of a sense of vocation, are properly paid and properly trained to deal with the situations they encounter.

Better support on leaving care

Support on leaving care is getting better, but the picture is mixed and 30% of homeless people have been in care. We believe that all teenagers leaving care should receive transitional support – either in intermediate housing until their early 20s, or through the continued support of a foster parent. One failed tenancy should not mean that a local authority can wash its hands of a vulnerable young person. Teenagers should be actively encouraged to continue in education or training, and the benefits system should be structured to allow them to do so.

Financial support for kinship care

Relatives who are able to care for a child at risk, but who are living on low incomes should be able to apply for financial support to towards their care.

Great expectations

Above all, children in care should be able to wish, dream and plan with purpose, supported by teachers, foster carers and social workers who help them to aim high. Being believed in costs nothing and can't be legislated for. It's often the single thing that makes all the difference.