CYP Now - Charity urges DCSs to end use of bin bags during care placement moves

Directors of children’s services (DCSs) are being called on to sign a pledge halting the transportation of looked-after children's belongings in bin bags when they move homes.

Children should be treated with respect and dignity when moving home, NYAS says. Picture: Adobe Stock

Placement instability is blighting the children’s care system, according to the charity National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), which warns that a child moves home every 20 minutes.

However, too often they are not “treated with respect and dignity” when they move and four in five children are forced to travel between placements with their belongings in bin bags at least once during their time in care, according to the charity.

NYAS says only one in three councils are providing formal written guidance to staff and carers to support children when they move home.

While 37 councils have pledged to keep looked-after children’s belongings safe when they leave home the NYAS wants more to follow their lead.

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