Looked-after children still have multiple placements

Following a question from shadow children's minister Tim Loughton, children's minister Beverley Hughes released the statistics for children in foster placements in the year ending 31 March 2008. They show that while around 15,000 looked-after children had had more than three foster placements since being placed in care, 1,200 children had had more than 10 placements. Around 10 children had more than 50 placements.

John Kemmis, chief executive of children's advocacy organisation Voice, said: "Moving placements is still the biggest issue we are asked about on our helpline as it can be very distressing for children."

He added: "Although there are moves that are made appropriately for the right reasons, one area that particularly concerns us is the movement of children and young people when they don't want to be moved, and against the wishes of their foster carers, just for management reasons."

Government policy recognises that having a settled home is the first step for improving outcomes for looked-after children.