Ensuring Support and Justice for Care-Experienced Youth

Introduction:

A recent study from Manchester Metropolitan University and Lancaster University sheds light on a concerning reality: one in three children who have been in care enters the youth justice system. As foster carers, it’s crucial to understand the challenges these children face and advocate for necessary changes in the system.

The Study’s Findings

The study, which surveyed 2.3 million children born between 1996 and 1999, revealed that care-experienced children are more likely to receive criminal cautions or convictions between the ages of 10 to 17 compared to those who were not in care. Alarmingly, custodial sentences are almost twice as common among black and mixed ethnicity children who have been in the care system.

Policy Recommendations

Researchers and advocates are calling for urgent action and policy changes to address this issue. Recommendations include making linked data more available, using detailed ethnicity categories for data publication, imposing a statutory duty on local authorities to prevent unnecessary criminalization, and enhancing awareness within youth justice agencies about those who have been in care.

Addressing Racial Disparities:

The study also collaborated with Barnardo’s to delve into the impact of race on the treatment of children in care. The “Double Discrimination” report highlights instances of racism, discrimination, exclusion, and isolation experienced by young black people in various settings, including foster care.

Recommendations for Change:

Barnardo’s suggests crucial changes to better support care-experienced young people, such as the introduction of a Black Foster Care Network, access to timely mental health support, and the full implementation of the Lammy Review to reduce over-criminalization in the care system.

Voices of Care-Experienced Youth:

The report includes interviews with young black care-experienced individuals serving custodial sentences. Their experiences reveal inconsistencies in support from social workers and the urgent need for mental health resources. The call for change emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for these individuals throughout their lives.

As foster carers, it’s essential to be aware of the challenges care-experienced youth face within the justice system. By staying informed, advocating for policy changes, and actively participating in initiatives that promote support and justice, we can contribute to creating a more equitable and nurturing environment for all children in care.