Young people and the care system

The Education Committee has published a new report looking at care options for children aged over 16 in England. Recommendations include a regulatory system for semi independent and independent accommodation for young people in care aged 16-17 and an outright ban on the use of bed and breakfasts. For further information visit www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/education-committee/news/report-16plus-residential-care-options.

The National Children's Bureau has published a good practice guide for staying put arrangements allowing children in foster care to remain with their families until the age of 21. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk/news/new-good-practice-guide-for-staying-put-arrangements-in-foster-care and www.ncb.org.uk/stayingput.

A new report from Barnardos, entitled On my own: the accommodation of young people leaving care in England, has uncovered the struggles of young care leavers to find safe, secure accommodation and their worries about becoming homeless. To download the report visit www.barnardos.org.uk/on_my_own_report_final.pdf.

The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence has published a new briefing on best practice for working with looked after children and young people. Recommendations in the briefing include stable placements which take account of the child’s needs and preferences. To download the briefing visit http://publications.nice.org.uk/looked-after-children-and-young-people-lgb19/about-this-briefing.