ChildLine calls from children in care up 32%

Calls to ChildLine from children in care have increased by 32% in the past five years, according to the NSPCC.

“Most children in care are well looked after by dedicated carers and professionals, but a minority continue to be failed by the care system,” said Peter Liver, director of the national helpline for children.

“We hear from children who have been beaten or sexually assaulted while in care. Others feel abandoned in care or unloved by their new carers. Some are intimidated by other children. Many have reached crisis point.”

The ChildLine report, published yesterday, called on local authorities to ensure fostered and other looked-after children always have an adult to speak up for them when they need help. Currently, children only have a right to an official advocate if they want to make a formal complaint about their care.

Over the next year, the NSPCC will be piloting in six areas a new advocacy service aimed at 600 children in fostering and other forms of care.

Over the past five years, the number of children counselled by ChildLine about being looked-after has risen from 2,415 to 3,196.

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