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The growing number of children sent to children's homes outside their local area despite a government vow to reduce the practice is "bitterly disappointing", the chair of a cross-party group of MPs has said.
Government statistics show that on 31 March 2016, 4,020 children and young people were placed in children's homes, secure units or semi-independent living accommodation outside of their local authority area. This is up from 2,250 young people at 31 March 2012 – a 78 per cent rise.
"All the evidence shows that vulnerable children sent to live in placements outside their local authority boundaries are at high risk of going missing and coming to harm," said Stockport MP Ann Coffey, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults. "We know there are strong proven links between going missing and child sexual exploitation."
The Labour MP said there needs to be research into whether there is a link between out-of-authority placements and the number of children who go missing from children's homes. "We need to know urgently why there are so many missing episodes from children's homes and what part out-of-borough placements play," she said.
Sam Royston, director of play and research at The Children's Society, said children and young people were often placed out of their local authority due to a lack of appropriate placements. "Children in care are some of the most vulnerable in society and should only be placed outside of their home local authority area if it is necessary to keep them safe and well," he said.
He has called on local authorities to increase the support they give to young people placed out of authority. "This should include supporting them to maintain regular contact with family and friends in their home area when this is appropriate," he said. "It must also be ensured that they receive return-home interviews if they go missing to find out why this has happened and to make sure they get the help they need.
Councils must also improve the sharing of information when children move between areas, he added.
"It is vital that all councils share information with one another and with the police when a child in care moves between local authority boundaries, including about any risks faced by the child," he said.
"Our own research has suggested that these things are not happening consistently and we need all statutory agencies across the country to take responsibility and ensure these crucial safeguards are in place."
By Tristan Donovan
18 September 2017
