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Offending rates among children in care investigated | Offending rates among children in care investigated |
(35 minutes later) | |
An independent review is being launched to examine why so many children in care in England and Wales end up in the criminal justice system. | An independent review is being launched to examine why so many children in care in England and Wales end up in the criminal justice system. |
The Prison Reform Trust, which set up the review, says children aged 10 to 17 in care are more than five times as likely to be in trouble than others. | The Prison Reform Trust, which set up the review, says children aged 10 to 17 in care are more than five times as likely to be in trouble than others. |
The inquiry will look at issues such as how often children change home, and how authorities handle behaviour. | The inquiry will look at issues such as how often children change home, and how authorities handle behaviour. |
It will be led by former probation officer and social worker Lord Laming. | It will be led by former probation officer and social worker Lord Laming. |
"It is a huge step for the state to assume the parenting of a child or young person," he said. | "It is a huge step for the state to assume the parenting of a child or young person," he said. |
"With that comes the responsibility to provide stability, security and hope for the future. | "With that comes the responsibility to provide stability, security and hope for the future. |
"Fewer than 1% of children and young people are committed to the care of local authorities, yet a third of boys and 61% of girls in custody are, or have been in care." | "Fewer than 1% of children and young people are committed to the care of local authorities, yet a third of boys and 61% of girls in custody are, or have been in care." |
'Pretty unsettled' | 'Pretty unsettled' |
While 10-17 year olds in care have a higher chance of being convicted or subject to a final warning or reprimand than other children, the trust says nearly two-thirds of them are in care because they have suffered abuse or neglect. | While 10-17 year olds in care have a higher chance of being convicted or subject to a final warning or reprimand than other children, the trust says nearly two-thirds of them are in care because they have suffered abuse or neglect. |
Only 2% are taken into care primarily because of their own socially unacceptable behaviour, according to government figures from 2014. | Only 2% are taken into care primarily because of their own socially unacceptable behaviour, according to government figures from 2014. |
The trust cited examples of young people's experiences. | The trust cited examples of young people's experiences. |
One girl with a criminal conviction said: "I was moving round children's homes, I was pretty unsettled, I was starting school, then coming out of school, then home schooled, then finishing home school because I couldn't stay in that placement." | One girl with a criminal conviction said: "I was moving round children's homes, I was pretty unsettled, I was starting school, then coming out of school, then home schooled, then finishing home school because I couldn't stay in that placement." |
Another young person said: "What I've heard from different police officers when I've been arrested, it's like, 'You're a kid in care, you're never going to get out of this way of life'." | Another young person said: "What I've heard from different police officers when I've been arrested, it's like, 'You're a kid in care, you're never going to get out of this way of life'." |
And Russell, who was taken into care as a teenager and has spent time in a young offenders institution told the BBC: "If I'd had the support around me when I was younger, I would have stayed as smart and sweet and innocent - but it was the fact that I've built myself up with so much anger. I'm not used to anyone supporting me." | |
'Wasted lives' | 'Wasted lives' |
Lord Laming, who has chaired previous inquiries looking at failures to protect at-risk children, including Victoria Climbie, said he wanted to hear from all those who have experience of the care system and the criminal justice system. | Lord Laming, who has chaired previous inquiries looking at failures to protect at-risk children, including Victoria Climbie, said he wanted to hear from all those who have experience of the care system and the criminal justice system. |
"We cannot stand by and allow wasted opportunities to result in wasted later lives," he said. | "We cannot stand by and allow wasted opportunities to result in wasted later lives," he said. |
"We are determined to ensure this review makes practical recommendations to enable key services to work together to help children in care transform their life chances and stay out of trouble." | "We are determined to ensure this review makes practical recommendations to enable key services to work together to help children in care transform their life chances and stay out of trouble." |
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "There is a depressing route from care to custody which can, and must, be stopped. | Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "There is a depressing route from care to custody which can, and must, be stopped. |
"We need to listen to children in care about how they got drawn into trouble and hear their views on ways to get out of it." | "We need to listen to children in care about how they got drawn into trouble and hear their views on ways to get out of it." |
The team is expected to report its findings early next year. | The team is expected to report its findings early next year. |