Our new research with Action for Children reveals that more children in care in England could return to their families with better support.
- New survey of local authorities in England reveal 78% of respondents said they would like to provide more support for families to help them reunite, than is currently offered.
- Research reveals that local authority funding constraints and lack of recruitment and retention of social care staff is preventing children getting the support they need to reunite with their families.
- We are working with Action for Children to call on the government to develop national guidance and invest in support services for returning children to their families.
We are working with Action for children to call on the government to develop national guidance and invest in support services for returning children in care to their families.
When children return to their families after being in care, this is called reunification. Reunification is the leading exit route from care, but if children and families don't receive the right support at the right time, reunification can fail and result in children returning to the care system. Existing data shows that 35% of children who are reunited with their families, return to care within 6 years.
Our research shows that many local authorities lack strategies to help children leave care and return home, as there isn't much national direction, guidance or focus.
The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, commissioned by the government, as warned that without urgent action, the number of children in care in England will rise from 80,000 in a decade, with the costs rising from £10 billion a year to £15 billion.
