Vulnerable children in care

There has been coverage in the press recently in relation to “Court orders depriving vulnerable children of their liberty“.  Having represented vulnerable adults in relation to their children in proceedings issued by the local authority, their circumstances can be enormously difficult and often tragic. It could be that the parent or parents have gone through some trauma and for whatever reason not able to cope. Common examples include a mother with learning difficulties or a mother in an abusive relationship which she finds difficult to extract herself from.

Social Services (represented by the local authority) do not take children into care at a drop of a hat and in my experience there are situations where there are no alternatives. It does not have to be the end of the road and provided the parent or parents work with Social Services rather than against. Many of the children concerned do return home, with safeguards put in place. The cost of care proceedings is staggering and eats in the local council’s budget.

That said, where there are concerns in relation to vulnerable children of any age, their welfare has to come first and foremost.

It is not easy to find temporary foster parents able to take in a child who is likely to be traumatised and separated from mother and father. The situation has worsened with the pandemic to the extent that social services in England are struggling to find accommodation for the children.  This has led to vulnerable children, particularly teenagers, detained in temporary accommodation and housed in holiday lets, caravans and even canal boats. These measures have been described by judges as “Draconian measures”.

The burning question however is, what is being done to remedy the situation? Measures need to be put in place sooner than later to give these children a safe and stable environment.

For advice relating to issues concerning children please contact the Family Team at Franklins on 01908 660966 / 01604 828282 or email Family@franklins-sols.co.uk.