CHILDREN'S SERVICES

We need a national placements strategy

Councils are using non-secure provisions supported by a deprivation of liberty order as necessary when secure welfare placements are not available, but as John Pearce says, the system needs to be developed to meet children’s needs.

I recently listened to a podcast (Children locked away: Britain's modern Bedlam) about some of our most deeply vulnerable children and young people who are in extreme distress.

Attempts to self-harm, harm others and take their own lives are common features, but their risk-taking behaviour is often a symptom of something more. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma or personal loss. Timely access to therapeutic intervention or mental health support can make a huge difference to them, but often what they are faced with is a system that cannot meet their needs.

Popular articles by John Pearce

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