Short care breaks hit by lack of funds

Short foster care breaks for children from families under pressure
have not been implemented due to lack of funding and staff
turnover, says a report.

It recommends an integrated approach between councils and central
government to provide support to families, or face children ending
up in long-term care.

The researchers, from the Institute of Education Thomas Coram
Research Unit, found that only a dozen councils have provided the
short-break schemes since 1989.

“Schemes have ended when a particular manager or co-ordinator has
left their post or when short-term funding has ended,” the report
says.

– Support Foster Care: Developing a Short-break Service for
Children in Need from 020 7612 6050.