A Teenager's Life In Care: 'Sex, Drink & Drugs'

There is a special feature on the BBC News website about the sexual exploitation of a teenager whilst in care.

Julie, not her real name, was placed in care at the age of 11, where she remained until she was 18, staying in a combination of foster homes and children's homes. Now 19, she has spoken to Newsnight about her experiences of sexual exploitation.

You can read the full feature here.


You can watch this episode of Newsnight on the sexual exploitation of children and what is being done to combat it on Tuesday 3rd July, 22.30 BST on BBC2, then afterwards on BBCiPlayer here.

Child Abuse In Care Homes: Children Subjected To 'Violent & Sadistic' Sexual Abuse

Children in care homes are being subjected to sexual abuse of a "violent and sadistic nature", England's Deputy Children's Commissioner Sue Berelowitz has warned.
She made the comments as the government announced new reforms that aim to better protect youngsters who reside in the country's 455 children's homes.
The action comes following a report published by Ms Berelowitz, which was ordered after the jailing of a sex abuse ring in May which preyed on vulnerable girls in Rochdale. Only one of the girls was in care at the time of the abuse but all were known to social services at some point in their childhood.

The ongoing inquiry has highlighted evidence that children in care are particularly vulnerable to child sex exploitation, with some residential homes being specifically targeted by abusers.Ms Berelowitz said her research found perpetrators come from all ethnic groups, as do their victims, who are as young as 11 and are largely but not exclusively girls.

Speaking alongside Children's Minister Tim Loughton as he announced the new measures, she said of the abuse: "It is of a violent and sadistic nature. I've been in the children's services field for a very long time, and I have never come across the scale of violence and sadism that I'm encountering now. The stories that children and young people tell us are truly horrific."

"I think it's quite right and proper that the Government is paying special attention to this group of children as the state is their parent and therefore we have a special duty of care to children who are under care orders of one kind or another."

A spokesman for Ofsted welcomed the government's commitment to reform, adding that its own inspections of children's homes were constantly reviewed.

'Weaknesses' in how children's homes help runaways revealed

"Serious weaknesses" in England's care system have been revealed by a report which found children's homes failed to protect runaways, the children's minister says.

An investigation by MPs found placing youngsters far from home could encourage them to abscond - leaving them then at risk of sexual abuse.

Their report calls for an independent investigation into the homes system. 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, which was 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. It says many older children who have complex needs are placed in residential care that is poor quality and unsuitable, often a long way from home, family and friends.

You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.

Sexually Exploited Children Are At Further Risk In Care Says Barnardo's

Children who have been sexually exploited and trafficked are being put in further danger because of a dire lack of trained foster carers, children's charity Barnardo's has warned.

The most vulnerable children are left in residential care or secure units where they are at greater risk from groomers and traffickers, according to the charity.

Taking action after nine men were jailed for grooming young girls for sex in Rochdale, the Department of Education has announced new funding for a specialist foster care scheme in an attempt to tackle the problem, but Barnardo's argues that more must be done.

"Without a doubt the system is completely failing children in residential care. This idea that you can gather large numbers of vulnerable children together in one place acts as a magnet to abusers – you might as well put up a neon sign saying get your most vulnerable children here," said Anne-Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnardo's.

You can read more on this story on The Guardian's website here.

Creating Services & Welfare To Combat Perinatal Depression

A new report by Family Action argues that welfare cuts and poor quality housing are having a negative impact on mothers’ mental health and their ability to bond with their babies. It suggests that early intervention should mean intervening before at-risk babies are born, by providing services that support vulnerable mothers emotionally and help develop parenting skills, alongside financial support. Whilst there are services for severe maternal mental health problems there is very little for women suffering moderate to mild difficulties. The report also argues that the troubled families programme, although much needed, is not suitable for preventing problems before they cause damage.

The report is available to read here: http://www.family-action.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=19802

Panorama: Undercover: Elder Care

Still very much on the issue of elder care - next Monday (23rd April) on BBC1 at 8.30 pm Panorama goes undercover to look at the way the elderly are treated in care homes. The programme reveals the appalling treatment of an elderly resident with dementia, captured on film after a concerned relative left a hidden camera.

You can see the details about the programme here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01gybn7