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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.