Over 50% of Cumbrian children in care are rehoused more than 20 miles from home
There's been a 62% rise in the number of children in care being moved away from their local area over the last decade
Last updated 17th Nov 2023
New data has revealed over 50% of Cumbrian children in care have been rehoused more than 20 miles from home this year.
These figures have come from the Department for Education, who have drawn attention to a significant rise in children being moved from their local area in recent years.
In the past decade, there's been a 62% rise in the number of children in care being moved away from their local area.
The research has shown that in England by March this year, 17,630 children in care had been moved more than 20 miles away from home.
This makes up over 21% of all children in care.
Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive of Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, tells us:
"I think its really worrying, these numbers are really high.
"Obviously, Cumbria has certain geographic challenges- it can be really difficult in rural areas where there aren't as many transport links to go back to the school they're from, to keep in touch with friends.
"We really need to look at what is happening in areas like this and make sure we recruit more foster carers and set up more children's homes in areas that really need them."
Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“We always place the needs of children at the centre of what we do and we do our best to keep children with their families wherever possible, with the right support.
“For those children who become cared for by Westmorland and Furness Council, we do our utmost to keep them in their community and support their school attendance when it’s appropriate to so do.
“Currently, 65% of our cared for children are placed with family or within 20 miles of their home address.
"Unfortunately, there is a national shortage of foster carers and homes available for our cared for children and for some children they have to live further away then they or we would like.
“This is even more likely for those children who have additional needs. As a new authority we are keen to increase the number of foster carers in our area and anyone considering becoming a foster carer should visit cumbriafostering.org.uk – even if it is just to find out more.”
In a statement the Cumberland Council also responded:
"Cumberland Council understand the importance of providing stability for our cared for children. We will always attempt to keep the children and young people we care for as close to their communities as possible, but there are several factors we must consider before deciding on suitable accommodation, and this is a local and national challenge.
"Cumberland’s population is spread out across a large area which unfortunately means it is more likely that we won’t have suitable accommodation close by. But for all councils it is increasingly difficult to find suitable homes, particularly for children with additional needs, where they can be supported and provided with the care they need. "