New polling commissioned by Barnardo’s shows the importance of children having consistent adult figures in their lives, who can support them through their childhood and beyond. With the number of children in care in England up nearly a quarter in a decade, the evidence published today by the UK’s largest children’s charity reveals the lonely and destabilising reality faced by many of the most vulnerable children and young people.  

Whilst most young adults receive support from parents after leaving home at an average age of 23, young people in care leave the system much earlier at 18 and often without support from close family. What’s more, these young people typically don’t have access to a wider support network of trusted adults, such as older family members and friends, that young people who haven’t experienced the care system typically benefit from. 

The YouGov polling of over 2,000 British adults found that 82 per cent believe it is very important for children to have consistent adults in their lives, whilst 70 per cent said they themselves had the support of family and friends to help them when they first moved out of the family home. ¹  

 The research also revealed that a significant number of British adults believe children in care and care leavers are likely to be treated differently throughout their lives, with almost half (46 per cent) of adults saying they would likely face discrimination at school, 46 per cent when renting a flat, 42 per cent from the police, 42 per cent when applying for a job and 20 per cent when accessing health services. 

The charity is also launching a new report, From Pillar to Post, which urges the Government and local authorities to do more to help children in the care system build longer-lasting relationships.  

 The report documents how many children experience multiple moves between foster homes and children’s homes with frequent changes of school and social workers, making it harder for them to maintain relationships. This means that when they reach 18 and leave the care system, many young people find themselves without anyone who they can rely on. 

One young person says: “It was stressful constantly changing social worker because just when you have adapted and become used to someone you then must adjust to someone else.”  

 Another added: “It was horrible I had no stability whatsoever and felt like I didn’t belong anywhere or that I didn’t have a real place I could call home.” 

 Barnardo’s is calling for the upcoming Independent Review of the Care system in England to look specifically at how children in care can have consistent adults in their lives. The report suggests widening access to an ‘independent visitor’ or ‘buddy’ who can provide support and friendship for children throughout their care journey. Barnardo’s would also like more local authorities to find ways of supporting children to build wider support networks within their community. 

Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE said:   

 “Our survey shows the UK public overwhelmingly agree that children need consistent adults in their lives. Yet too often this is not the experience of children in the care system. It is simply not good enough that some of the most vulnerable children in our society feel like they are being ‘bounced around’ the system.  

  “With the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care due to report imminently, we have a unique opportunity to ensure children experience fewer changes in where they live, less disruption to their education, and don’t have to tell their story to so many new professionals.  

 “We also need action to tackle loneliness and isolation by making it easier for care experienced young people to build lasting relationships with trusted adults and stronger networks in their community.” 

 In its From Pillar to Post report, Barnardo’s has made several policy recommendations which it hopes to be included as part of the independent Review of Children’s Social Care and ultimately adopted by the UK Government. The review is expected to be published in the next few weeks. Barnardo’s recommendations include:   

·         Ensuring all children in the care system are supported to access an ‘independent visitor’ or ‘buddy’ who can provide them with support and friendship throughout their care journey. 

·         The improvement of residential care through the development of a national strategy and funding to allow the development of new, locally-based community provision.  

·         The requirement of all local authorities to have a clear commitment to tackling loneliness and isolation amongst children in and leaving care.