Last week saw the Queen's Speech to Parliament when the government’s legislative programme for the year is set out. From this, I would like to highlight the Children and Social Work Bill. Most of us come from stable and loving homes and get a good start in life. No parent could imagine that their child would grow up to sleep on the streets or languish in prison, but sadly this appalling future happens to a much higher proportion of children in care than children with their own settled families.
This is something that as a country we have not been getting right for many years and the Conservative government have rightly identified that this needs to change. Put simply, we need to give these children the chance of a better life.
Children need and deserve a loving home and the government are going to tip the balance in favour of permanent adoption where that is the right thing for the child. We need to do more in matching up children who can benefit from adoption and those keen to be adoptive parents. This includes not insisting that children are matched with parents of the same ethnic background.
As a County Councillor myself and with over 700 children in the care of West Sussex County Council, I very much welcome all efforts to improve the life chances of our most vulnerable children. This includes as they go into adulthood when support to them has historically dropped off.
This bill will see new standards for local authorities to meet to support children in care and as they move into adult life. These include publishing the services that looked after children and care leavers are entitled to and extending the right to a Personal Adviser, who supports care leavers up to the age of 25. We will also see a new care leavers’ covenant so these young people are given the support they need to thrive. These measures will help the Conservative government deliver on its commitment to extend opportunity to everyone, helping to ensure vulnerable children get the best start in life.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
25th May 2016