One in five children in care not informed about their situation

The report, called Getting Advice and based on a survey and discussions with 351 children and young people in care and care leavers, found that they were most likely to be kept in the dark at times of upheaval, such as coming into care or when there is a change of social worker.

Of those surveyed, 18 per cent said they were told little or nothing about why they were in care. A similar amount (20 per cent) said they were not told by social workers or carers about their future plans.

Those in children’s homes were more likely to struggle to find out information about their future and why they are in care.

The survey found that social workers and foster carers are the usual source of advice for children in care. Children with disabilities were among the most likely to turn to teachers and doctors for advice.

Information many children in care struggled to find out about included when they might be reunited with their family, how to keep in contact with their family and where they would live when leaving care.

Morgan urged children’s professionals to ensure children are kept well informed of all plans that affect them and the reasons why decisions are made.

He called for children to be routinely given a choice of how they would like to receive advice and information, for example in person, in writing or electronically.

Other advice he gives is to ensure "the child is informed even when there is no progress to report on the issue", and for professionals to "find out information for the child when they don’t know the answer".