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18/06/2012
Report Finds 'Serious Weaknesses' In Children's Care System
A new report on England’s care system has found “serious weaknesses” in the care provided for runaways, the children’s minister says.
The report calls for an independent investigation into the homes system after an investigation by MPs found placing youngsters far from home could encourage them to abscond, leaving them then at risk of sexual abuse.
Children's Minister Tim Loughton said "urgent steps" would be taken.
Much of the criticism by the all-party parliamentary groups on children in care and on runaways and missing people focuses on homes where about 5,000 of the 65,000 of those in care are looked after.
The report, first highlighted by BBC Two's Newsnight programme earlier this month, says the system of residential care is "not fit for purpose" for children who go missing.
Labour MP Ann Coffey, chairwoman of the all-party parliamentary group for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, said: "There is a scandal going on in England involving children missing from care.
"This inquiry has revealed the widespread concern that what we have in place at the moment falls dramatically short of what is needed to protect some of society's most vulnerable children.
"We know that dangerous predators are exploiting large gaps in the system and targeting children."
(H)
The report calls for an independent investigation into the homes system after an investigation by MPs found placing youngsters far from home could encourage them to abscond, leaving them then at risk of sexual abuse.
Children's Minister Tim Loughton said "urgent steps" would be taken.
Much of the criticism by the all-party parliamentary groups on children in care and on runaways and missing people focuses on homes where about 5,000 of the 65,000 of those in care are looked after.
The report, first highlighted by BBC Two's Newsnight programme earlier this month, says the system of residential care is "not fit for purpose" for children who go missing.
Labour MP Ann Coffey, chairwoman of the all-party parliamentary group for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, said: "There is a scandal going on in England involving children missing from care.
"This inquiry has revealed the widespread concern that what we have in place at the moment falls dramatically short of what is needed to protect some of society's most vulnerable children.
"We know that dangerous predators are exploiting large gaps in the system and targeting children."
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry with sunny spells on Friday, cloudier at times in the south. The chance of the odd afternoon shower developing in the south and east. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Any afternoon showers soon dying out to leave a dry evening with clear spells at first, but coastal low cloud, mist or fog then spreads in from the northwest. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
