Young foster children distressed by regular house moves, charity warns

Moving house regularly can cause significant distress to young foster children from “traumatic backgrounds” who crave stability, a children’s charity has warned.

Almost one in four foster children in the UK has moved home two or more times in the past year, a Freedom of Information request submitted by Action for Children revealed.

Of the 64,372 children in care in the UK between April 2014 and March 2015, 22.7% were placed under a different carer more than twice, according to the data obtained from local authorities.

The charity has launched an appeal to find the best homes for vulnerable children and is urging new foster parents who will “stick with them through thick and thin” to come forward.

John Downing, director of children’s placements at Action for Children, said while sometimes it was “appropriate” to move a child in care, behaviour can also play a part in causing placements to “break down”.

He said: “What we know, and we know this to be true, is if we get the right skill set of foster carer, the one that has the ‘stickability’ – the ability to stick with the young person – it can transform the placement.

“We are really, really keen on getting a broad spectrum of carers, so we have carers that really stick with the young people.”

Action for Children argues young people who move frequently are likely to have poor social skills and experience reduced educational and employment opportunities.

In July, a study by Centre for Social Justice think tank revealed over a thousand children in care in England were moved between three or more schools within the course of the 2013/14 academic year.

Sir Tony Hawkhead, chief executive of Action for Children, said: “For children in care, moving home is not just about leaving a house. It means leaving a family, friends, school and everything that’s familiar to start all over again.

“It is impossible to imagine the damage to a child or young person, who has already had the toughest start in life, to have to move several times a year until they find the right foster carer who will stick with them through thick and thin.

“We know of children as young as four who have had to move three times in less than a year before finding a stable family home.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said it was committed to welcoming carers from all backgrounds and encouraging long-term fostering.

She said: “Every child deserves the best start in life, and that includes having a stable, nurturing home environment.

“That is why since 2010 we have put in place comprehensive and far-reaching support, meaning these children are now doing better at school, absences are down and they are receiving more help than ever before to get on in life.”

The charity asks anyone who is interested in fostering to visit actionforchildren.org.uk or call 0845 200 5162.

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