‘Keep caring to 18’ campaign launches amid government consultation

The launch comes as the government considers plans a crackdown on the use of such accommodation for those aged 15 and under, but not 16-and 17-year-olds.

Those involved in the campaign include children’s rights group Article 39, The Care Leavers’ Association and Just for Kids Law.

Other children’s sector and professionals’ groups are also involved, including the National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers (NAIRO) and the National Centre for Excellence in Residential Child Care.

Last month, the Department for Education launched a consultation on the way independent and semi-independent supported accommodation for children in care and care leavers is regulated.

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Currently such provisions are not permitted to offer care and there are no legal rules covering staff qualifications or background checks. Those running such accommodation also do not have to register with Ofsted.

The government wants to ban councils from placing children under the age of 16 in such provision.

However, the Keep Caring for Children up to 18 group rejects this cut-off point, arguing that 16- to 17-year-olds are still being left at risk of harm in potentially unsafe and unsuitable accommodation.

“We believe every child in care – including 16- and 17-year-olds – should receive care,” said Article 39 on behalf of the coalition.

Care experienced people, charities and other social work experts are joining forces to press for the right of all children in care to receive care. Find out more here: https://t.co/tGzhkifs7H pic.twitter.com/8UpuiwdNkT

— Article 39 (@article_39) March 10, 2020

The group is demanding that the ban applies until children reach 18 and that the government better promotes its consultation among young people with experience of care, MPs and the wider public.

It also wants to see new standards for supported accommodation for those aged 18 and over, to ensure that they are registered and inspected by Ofsted.

Also backing the campaign is the children’s care charity Become, which is among a raft of children’s care groups taking to social media this week to promote the campaign under the hashtag #KeepCaringTo18.

We're happy to be supporting the #KeepCaringTo18 campaign. We believe that every child in care deserves care. https://t.co/12JyKAoqfe pic.twitter.com/PkgMrmFV4O

— Become (@Become1992) March 10, 2020

“We do not believe that establishing a two-tier care system is in the best interests of children and young people,” said the charity. 

“There is no similar expectation for those living in foster care or children's homes that they will receive a lower standard of support when they turn 16. This is why we support #KeepCaringTo18.”

A group of experts has been set up to advise the government on standards for unregulated supported accommodation. This week its chair, Sir Alan Wood, denied claims from children’s campaigners that this group is secretive and ignoring the views of those with experience of care.

Wood said that “the idea we have been meeting in secret is somewhat fanciful”.