Children demand access to social workers

 

Children want more contact with their social workers is the message they are giving to the Government.

 

In a new report that will help the Government shape new regulations under the Children and Young Persons Act 2008, children have been giving their views on what they want when placed in care.

 

Social workers should visit those who live away from home at least once a month. Children surveyed also said that social workers must listen to the child first and foremost, and talk to the child in private, away from their homes and carers. They also wanted an extra visit if they were having particular problems.

 

The report, Future Rules, is published today by the Children’s Rights Director for England. It is comprised of young people in care, and care leavers giving their views on a range of subjects relating to regulations that will affect their future.

 

The new act will say that a council must place a child within its own area where possible. Three quarters of young people surveyed said that regulations should say it’s ok to move a child from the council’s area if that child may be in danger. They also believed that children should be allowed a say in whether they were placed near home or at a distance. Reasons children gave for wanting a distance from their area included being protected from their own family, or escaping ‘gang violence’.

 

Over two-thirds of young people also said that if a child needs an independent advisor to advise them other than a social worker, it should be someone who has been in care themselves.

 

Young people also wanted regulations that said before a child is placed back with their parents that social workers should check that it is safe for them, that the parents can look after them properly, and that everyone is happy with the arrangements.

 

Children’s Rights Director for England, Dr Roger Morgan said: “This is an important report, as it’s the first time we have been able to give children in care the chance to advise the government directly on what should go into a set of brand new statutory regulations. Ultimately it’s these children that the regulations will affect the most.

 

“What we’ve found is young people giving extremely pertinent and sound advice, and a strong message that their safety and happiness should be a major priority. Where decisions are being made about their welfare, young people want their views considered first, regularly and away from their home environment and carers so they can talk freely.”