Impact of living in care needs careful attention

Much has been written about the impact that budget reductions to government departments announced in last month's Spending Review will have for children's services over the next few years.

Although the exact amount given to councils is still to be decided, most are drawing up plans for how they can do more with less. With looked-after children being the largest area of children's services spending, many are considering how they can improve support to avoid care being necessary altogether.

However, research by the Rees Centre and Bristol University shows that far from damaging educational chances, the care system can in fact improve the outcomes for many vulnerable children, so this may put a different perspective on the issue. The study findings may come as a surprise to many politicians and mainstream commentators who revel in putting the boot into the care system at every available opportunity. But for those who work with vulnerable children and families, it provides confirmation that taking the tough decision to intervene can sometimes improve the child's life chances.