This is often due to a lack of secure and available homes, the needs of the particular child (the most complex are more difficult to place alongside other children safely) as well as financial pressures, which make it difficult for authorities to find suitable placements close to the child's home.
It is a leap to suggest that distance is the only issue at play resulting in poor outcomes when children placed in private provisions are often the most complex and vulnerable already. The key here is that commissioners and social workers need to work with providers to ensure the provision is going to meet the child’s needs.
Often decisions around children’s placements are made with little to no thought around their needs and if children are being placed far away, it should be because it’s what they need not because it’s the only available option. This might mean securing short-term interim placements for children in the meantime - and commissioners, local authorities and providers need to be less rigid and more creative to ensure decisions around children’s placements are being made based on their best interests. There is also the constant challenge around the lack of secure and suitable homes available which often means children are placed far away.
While being taken away from familiar surroundings and placed in a new location can be a challenging experience for a child, it can also offer them a fresh start. For some children, being moved to a new area can be a way to escape from traumatic situations they have experienced in their local community. For example, some children may have been taken out of unsafe situations, such as being involved in county lines and drug activity, sexual abuse and/or criminal/sexual exploitation. Moving them to a new location where they can feel safe and start afresh could be the best way to help them recover from their trauma.
Where a child is placed location-wise should also depend on the age and future plans for the child too. For example, if the plan is for the child to be reunited with their family, if they need support, or if they will move back to that area once they have left care or transitioned to adulthood through independence etc, then that also needs to be taken into account. In instances like these, considerations would need to be given to whether the child would need a placement nearer the home or if a planned transition back to that area would be more suitable.
In instances where a child has poor mental health and feels suicidal for example, being a long way from home could have a severe negative impact.
Of course, every child is unique, and each situation must be treated on a case-by-case basis. The most important thing is to ensure that decisions about placements are made around the child's needs, taking into account their safety, well-being, and best interests. It is crucial that the child's voice is always heard and that they are involved in the decision-making process as much as possible.
While the news that children in care in England are being placed far from their local areas is concerning, it is important to consider the potential positive impacts of moving children to new locations, as in some situations it can often be the best thing for them - whether for their protection or to be closer to other family members. By providing a safe and supportive environment for vulnerable children to recover from their trauma, we can help them to build a brighter future. The key thing to remember is that not all children are the same - and neither should the homes they live in be.
Danny Wilson has extensive experience in the children’s residential sector, having previously worked in a local authority. He is now head of children’s residential at Bedspace.
Bedspace is an organisation that supports vulnerable people on their journey to independence, including children in care in its own children's home. The organisation has supported over 21,000 vulnerable people since launching in 1999. The organisation understands the challenges that children in care face and provide a safe and supportive environment for them to thrive.
