-
News
-
Resources
-
Events
Record number of children taken into care is “avoidable tragedy”
09 February 2012Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children, said:
“The huge rise in the number of children taken into care by local authorities is an avoidable tragedy that we cannot ignore. The increasing numbers of families who are facing crisis because of problems such as drug or alcohol abuse and domestic violence suggests that we are not helping parents overcome their difficulties early enough.
"Research for our latest campaign, Give Me Strength, revealed huge public support for a more preventative approach to family support with 95% of people believing that families in crisis are capable of turning their lives around with the right help.
“We have to ensure, in the current economic climate, that when cuts are made by local authorities they see to it that the most vulnerable children receive practical help and support early to strengthen families and help them develop solutions.
"We are seeing more and more evidence of how neglect and parenting difficulties can have a huge impact on the development of young children, and these latest statistics show that there needs to be greater investment in early intervention forms of assistance to give all children the best start in life.”
Notes to Editors
The number of children taken into care in England has hit a record high. Last month, local authorities made 903 applications to protect youngsters from abuse or neglect – the highest figure since the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) was set up in 2001 to look after the interests of children involved in court family proceedings.
Give Me Strength http://www.givemestrength.org.uk/
4Children’s current national campaign, Give Me Strength, demands more help for families to avert crises. Every year 28,000 children go into care in England. Millions more have their chances of success in later life diminished by growing up in families facing serious and multiple challenges with little or no practical help. Yet research shows us that these crises can often be prevented if the right help is available at the right time. Families tell us that this means early help as problems develop and before crisis sets in.
4Children’s research shows that:
• 13% of families are affected by domestic violence;
• 16 % are affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
Attila Kulcsar at attila.kulcsar@4children.org.uk or call 020 7522 6919 / 07917542464