Member News: Barnardo's responds to the Children's Commissioner's Stability Index

​Following the release of the Children's Commissioner's Stability Index, Barnardo's has issued the following statement:
Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan said:

"Barnardo’s knows that children who benefit from our loving, stable foster placements have often come from deeply troubled backgrounds and many have suffered neglect and physical or sexual abuse.

The number of looked after children has increased steadily over recent years and our research indicates that the complexity of cases of children in care has also risen.

Sixteen per cent of children referred to us have issues related to child sexual exploitation, 17% were unaccompanied asylum seekers or had been trafficked and 6% indicated harmful sexual behaviour.

It is essential that resources are there to support the foster carers who look after these vulnerable young people to help them avoid multiple placements. It’s also crucial that they are matched with the right family to avoid further instability.

Ongoing professional guidance must be made available as even the most motivated and resilient foster carers need the appropriate support package to help them through challenging circumstances.

As an independent fostering provider Barnardo’s recruits, trains and supports foster carers to care for some of the most vulnerable children."

Source:
www.barnardos.org.uk

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