Growing numbers of children in care moved far away due to shortage of suitable local homes

Rising numbers of children in care are being placed in children’s homes and with foster carers far from their family, friends, school and community, a new report finds.

These moves often happen without warning and have a devastating impact on children’s lives, disrupting their education, life outcomes, and relationships.

The report, by children’s charity Become, finds that there are almost 18,000 children in care in England living more than 20 miles from home and that the number has increased risen every year since 2018 – this year by more than 3,000.

Researchers found that children in care are now living further away, on average, than they were a year ago.

Children in secure homes were most likely to be living far from home, with 4 out of 5 children in secure settings living more than 20 miles from their family, friends and community.

Children in private children’s homes are 2.5 times more likely to be living far away than those in non-private accommodation.

Living far from home can have a devastating effect on children and their wellbeing. The report found that children living more than 20 miles from home have significantly lower wellbeing than those who are placed closer to home. Worryingly, children who experience multiple moves are more likely to be placed more than 20 miles from home, adding to the stress.

Become is now calling on the new Labour government and local authorities to commit to stop children being placed miles from home; to publish strategies to increase the supply of appropriate local options; and to recognise and register the number of times children are moved inappropriately.

Katharine Sacks-Jones, CEO of the charity which advocates for children in care and young care leavers, says they hear ‘time and again’ from children in care the devastating impact of being made to move to an area of the country they don’t know – often happening without warning and sometimes multiple times a year. 

“This means moving away from friends, brothers and sisters, school and college – and being left lonely and isolated, at greater risk of exploitation with real consequences for their lives and futures.

“It is unacceptable that with each year that passes, the situation is getting worse with more and more being sent away from the people and places that matter to them. This new data shows just how urgently the new Government must act. We need a national commitment and strategy so that all children in care have a safe and suitable home in the right area and get the love and stability they deserve."