Do children in care get the advice they need?

A new survey says that children in care miss out on important information.

The report by Robert Morgan, who is England’s Children’s Rights Director, said that about one in eight children in care don’t get much of the advice they need.

The problem is worst when things in their life are changing. For example, many didn’t get enough information when moving placements or changing social workers.

Missing Information

Lots of the children said that they weren’t told enough about what was going on in their lives or their family.

They said that adults wouldn’t tell them something they thought would upset them. ‘Even if it’s something I don’t want to hear, I still need to know,’ one said.

They also didn’t get information early enough. They wanted to be “told things earlier, not a couple of days before it happens.”

Advice for Life

There were six main things the people in the survey wanted more advice about. These links can help fill in the gaps:

Emotional, physical and sexual well-being

• Find out more about managing your self-esteem and coping with anger and depression.
• Learn about alcohol and eating disorders.
• Find someone to talk to about drugs and sexual health.

Looking after yourself

• Learn about managing money and keeping safe.

Plans for the future

• Get advice about finding a job or going to university.

Becoming independent

• Find help on everything from paying bills to unblocking a sink here.

Family info

• An earlier survey said that children find it harder to keep in touch with their families the longer they are in care. Click here to find out more.

Children’s Rights

• Click here to learn more about your rights.

Your Shout!

Do children in care get enough information? What advice do you think is most important? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.