Shock at foster care abuse survey

Young people are more likely to be abused in foster care than in
residential homes, reveals new research by the charity
ChildLine.

Conducted for a television programme, the analysis of 259 calls
to the ChildLine helpline from young people in foster care found
that 26 per cent had been abused, compared with 19 per cent of the
353 young people who called in from residentail care homes.

ChildLine director Val Howarth said: ‘It’s a false assumption
children are better off in foster care than in residential care.
There needs to be as much vigilance and care about children in
foster homes as those in residential units.’