Report calls for greater investement in support for looked after children

The Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) has published the results of a new report which calls for greater investment in effective family support services to bring about a more concentrated and consistent approach to assisting these young people and their families.

The ‘Overseen but often overlooked: Children and young people ‘Looked after at home’ in Scotland’ report, commissioned by Barnardo’s, found little attention and research has been paid to children looked after at home yet they make up a quarter of the looked after children population. The report highlighted:

• The needs and circumstances of children looked after at home are complex, with their needs being as severe as many other looked after children.

• Support services provided are often limited, inconsistent, and patchy. While service providers recognise the needs of these children, they can’t always respond because sometimes they feel their duties to other looked after children much take precedence.

• Outcomes for this group are some of the poorest in society, in particular poor education outcomes and involvement in the criminal justice system.

Jennifer Davidson, Director said: “One challenge is ensuring that children and young people who are looked after at home receive the same priority as other their looked after children. They can have equally difficult experiences and their outcomes are often worse in areas such as education and wellbeing.

“These children and young people could be living in difficult circumstances and their families may face challenges such as poverty, domestic violence, addiction and ill health. They need a different type of support compared to other looked after children and currently their needs are not always met.”

Download the report here: Overseen but often overlooked: Children and young people ‘Looked after at home’ in Scotland