Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-fnpn6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-26T04:24:39.518Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Children Looked After in England – Reflections on the Past, Present and Future

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 December 2015

Anna Gupta
Anna Gupta*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
*
address for correspondence: Ms Anna Gupta, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Royal Holloway University of London Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK. E-mail: Anna.Gupta@rhul.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper explores the debates surrounding out-of-home care for children who are unable to live with their birth parents and become looked after by the state in England. The historical context for the provision of out-of-home care is considered. Themes, including the use of residential care, foster care, adoption and placements of children from Black and minority ethnic children, are identified. These themes are re-examined in light of the current political and policy context, including the impact of globalisation. The paper concludes some reflections on future trends.

Keywords

Children in careFoster careAdoptionResidential care
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 40 , Issue 4: OUT OF HOME CARE-REFLECTING ON THE PAST AND ENVISIONING FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS , December 2015 , pp. 304 - 309
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barn, R., Sinclair, R., & Ferdinand, D. (1997). Acting on principle: An examination of race and ethnicity in social services provision for children and families. London: BAAF.Google Scholar
Berridge, D., Biehal, N., & Henry, L. (2012). Living in children's residential homes. Research Report DFE-RR201. Retrieved from http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/13956/1/DFE-RR201.pdf.Google Scholar
Black and In Care (BIC). (1984). Black and in care. London: Blackrose Press.Google Scholar
Bloch, A., Sigona, N., & Zetter, R. (2014). Sans papiers: The social and economic lives of young undocumented migrants. London: Pluto Press.Google Scholar
Boddy, J. (2013). Understanding permanence for looked after children: A review of research for the care inquiry. Retrieved from http://www.frg.org.uk/images/Policy_Papers/understanding-permanenc-review-of-evidence.pdf.Google Scholar
Boddy, J., Statham, J., McQuail, S., Petrie, P., & Owen, C. (2009). Working at the “edges” of care? European models of support for young people and families. London: Institute of Education, University of London.Google Scholar
Borzova, O. (2015). Social services in Europe: Legislation and practice of the removal of children from their families in Council of Europe member States, Council of Europe report. Retrieved from http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/X2H-Xref-ViewPDF.asp?FileID=21567&lang=en.Google Scholar
Bowcott, O. (2015). Lithuanian MPs petition Lords Speaker over child custody Case. Guardian, 12 May 2015, Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/12/lithuanian-mps-lords-speaker-child-custody-case.Google Scholar
Browne, K., Hamilton-Giachritis, C., Johnson, R., Agathonos-Georgopoulou, H., Anaut, M., Herczog, M., . . . Zeytinoglu, S. (2005). Mapping the number and characteristics of children under three in institutions across Europe at risk of harm. European Commission Daphne Programme, WHO Regional Office for Europe and University of Birmingham.Google Scholar
Bywaters, P. (2015). Inequalities in child welfare: Towards a new policy, research and action agenda. British Journal of Social Work, 45 (1), 6–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CAFCASS. (2015). CAFCASS care demand statistics: July 2015, Retrieved from https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/leaflets-resources/organisational-material/care-and-private-law-demand-statistics/care-demand-statistics.aspx.Google Scholar
Chase, E., & Allsop, J. (2013). “Future citizens of the world”? The contested futures of independent young migrants in Europe, RSC Working Paper Series No. 97. Oxford: Refugee Studies Centre, Oxford University.Google Scholar
Colton, M., Sanders, R., & Williams, M. (2001). An introduction to working with Children. London: Palgrave.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department for Education (DfE). (2015). Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2015, SFR 34/2015. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/464756/SFR34_2015_Text.pdf.Google Scholar
Department for Education and Skills (DfES). (2004). Every child matters: Change for children. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Featherstone, B., White, S., & Morris, K. (2014). Re-imagining child protection. Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Fox-Harding, L. (1997). Perspectives in child care policy (2nd ed.). Harlow: Longman.Google Scholar
Francis, J., Kendrick, A., & Poso, T. (2007). On the margin? Residential child care in Scotland and Finland. European Journal of Social Work, 10 (3), 337–352.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Franklin, A., & Doyle, L. (2013). Still at Risk: A review of support for trafficked children. London: The Refugee Council and The Children's Society.Google Scholar
Frost, N., Mills, S., & Stein, M. (1999). Understanding residential child care. Aldershot: Ashgate.Google Scholar
Frost, N., & Parton, N. (2009). Understanding children's social care: Politics, policy and practice. London: Sage.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gill, O., & Jackson, B. (1983). Adoption and race. London: Batsford/BAAF.Google Scholar
Gladwell, C., & Elwyn, E. (2012). Broken futures: Young Afghan asylum seekers in the UK and in their country of origin. Geneva: UNHCR.Google Scholar
Gove, M. (2012). The failure of child protection and the need for a fresh start. Education Secretary speech on child protection on 19th November at the Institute of Public Policy Research. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-failure-of-child-protection-and-the-need-for-a-fresh-start.Google Scholar
Gupta, A., & Lloyd-Jones, E. (2010). The representation of children and their parents in public law proceedings since the children act 1989: High hopes and lost opportunities?. Journal of Children's Services, 5 (2), 64–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gupta, A. & Lloyd-Jones, E. (2014). ‘Re B-S: a glass half full? An exploration of the implications of the Re B-S judgment on practice in the family courts’, Child and Family Social Work, early online publication: 28th August 2014Google Scholar
Hendrick, H. (Ed.). (2005). Child welfare and social policy: An essential reader. Bristol: The Policy Press.Google Scholar
Hilpern, K. (2015). How social networking sites threaten the security of adopted children, Guardian, 23rd May 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/may/23/how-social-networking-sites-threaten-the-security-of-adopted-children.Google Scholar
Jelicic, H., Hart, D., La Valle, I., Fauth, R., Gill, C. & Shaw, C. (2013). The role of independent reviewing officer (IROs) in England: Findings from a national survey. London: NCB.Google Scholar
Jones, R. (2015). The end game: The marketisation and privatisation of children's social work and child protection. Critical Social Policy, 35 (2), 447–469.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kendrick, A. (1995). Residential care in the integration of child care services. Edinburgh: Scottish Office, Central Research Unit.Google Scholar
Luckock, B. & Lefevre, M. (eds.) (2008). Direct work: Social work with children and young people in care. London: BAAF.Google Scholar
Pearce, J. (2011). Working with trafficked children and young people: Complexities in practice. British Journal of Social Work, 41 (8), 1424–1441.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearce, J. J. (2014). ‘What's Going On’ to Safeguard Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation: A Review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards’ Work to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation. Child Abuse Review, 23 (3), 159–170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pelton, L. (2015). The continuing role of material factors in child maltreatment and placement. Child Abuse & Neglect, 41, 30–39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pringle, K. (1998). Children and social welfare. Buckinghamshire: OUP.Google Scholar
Schofield, G., Beek, M., & Ward, E. (2012). Part of the family: Planning for permanence in long-term family foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 244–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC). (2006). The contemporary role and future direction of residential care for children and young people. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.Google Scholar
Sinclair, I., Baker, C., Lee, J., & Gibbs, I. (2007). The pursuit of permanence: A study of the English child care system. London: Jessica Kingsley.Google Scholar
Small, J. (1986). Transracial placements: conflicts and contradictions. In Ahmed, S., Cheetham, J. & Small, J. (Eds.), Social work with black children and their families. London: Batsford/BAAF.Google Scholar
Stevenson, L. (2015). Sharp rise in asylum-seeking children in care official figures show the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in care rose 29% in 2014–15, community care, Retrieved from http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2015/10/01/sharp-rise-asylum-seeking-children-care/.Google Scholar
The Care Inquiry. (2013a). The views and recommendations of children and young people involved in the care inquiry. Retrieved from http://www.frg.org.uk/images/Policy_Papers/views-recommendations-of-young-people-care-inquiry.pdf.Google Scholar
The Care Inquiry. (2013b). Making not breaking: Building relationships for out most vulnerable children. Retrieved from http://www.frg.org.uk/images/Policy_Papers/care-inquiry-full-report-april-2013.pdf.Google Scholar
Thoburn, J., Norford, L., & Rashid, S. (2000). Permanent family placement for children of minority ethnic origin. London: Jessica Kingsley.Google Scholar
Utting, W.B. (1991). Children in the public care. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Utting, W. (1997). People like us: The report of the review of the safeguards for children living away from home. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Waterhouse, R. (2000). Lost in care, report of the tribunal of inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former county council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Wright, F. (2014). Social work practice with unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people facing removal. British Journal of Social Work, 44 (4), 1027–1044.CrossRefGoogle Scholar