NCB Now: Comment - The Children and Young Person's Bill

A considerable chunk of the proposals concentrate on providing support so children don't end up in the care system in the first place. But, I wonder if there should have been two separate but dovetailing pieces of legislation, one concentrating on vulnerable children and the other on children in and leaving care?

My concern is that the care system is seen as the poor relation to be avoided at all costs as we hear constantly, the "outcomes are so poor". But sometimes the care system is the right and only place to be.

Foster carers and residential staff undervalued, social workers stressed and overworked, often with no time to actually play, listen and enjoy time with the children they care for. The analogies between vulnerable families and the corporate family are endless. However, who is there to help them feel confident, skilled and able to meet the needs of children in care?

What is often lost, is that we are not just talking about one generation, one child. The impact on the way the care system brings up children will have consequences on future generations, what I call the "care leavers by proxy"- the children and grandchildren of those brought up in care.

The reality is that while the care system does need an overhaul, many children who are brought up in it do extremely well and go on to be happy, well adjusted adults. As one of those "care leavers by proxy," I have seen the positive impacts of the care system through my own upbringing and the consequences of that as an adult, on my role as a parent. I would strongly urge that raising the self-esteem of the care system is the foundation to ensure better outcomes for future generations.

- Sheree Kane, principal officer, children in public care.