Children in care supplement: Policy and practice

Grounds for optimism despite a care system under pressure

The number of children entering the care system in England has reached record levels. Whatever the factors behind this stark fact - increased family breakdown, cuts to early help services, a "risk-averse" culture in children's social care - the system is under pressure as never before.

Despite this challenging (if somewhat bleak) backdrop, at least a couple of developments in the past year have shown the wellbeing of looked-after children, and the professionals and systems that provide their care and nurture, in a more positive, optimistic light.

First, a landmark study just under 12 months ago, The Educational Progress of Looked-After Children, blew apart the prevailing simplistic assumption that because the attainment of children in care is much poorer than that of children not in care, the system is letting them down. Indeed, the study showed those who have been in care for a considerable period of time do better than children in need who are not in care. It is the early circumstances and trauma that led them to enter care that has more likely let them down than the experience of being in care.

The second development was Sir Martin Narey's review of children's residential care. The Narey report discovered a sector that is often providing inspirational care and support to some of society's most damaged and vulnerable children, thus challenging the very perception of children's homes as an "anachronism" to be an anachronism in itself.

Nonetheless, there is considerable room for improvement in commissioning placements, and in the quality of care children receive, whatever the type of placement. Reforms across the sector are either under way or under discussion.

Our annual Children in Care supplement aims to lay bare the pressing challenges across the commissioning landscape, in foster care, residential care, and indeed the support young people receive when leaving care. It also aims to shine the spotlight on examples of innovative practice - of good ideas that are being executed to good effect.

I hope you find this supplement to be a useful resource in supporting you in the vital work you do.

Ravi Chandiramani
Editor-in-chief, Children & Young People Now