New Report - Children's views on the state of social care in 2009
The Office of the Children's Rights Director (OCRD) have published the Children's Rights annual report of children's views on the state of social care in 2009, based this year on the views of 1,195 children.
New issues identified in this year's report are the high level of separation of siblings in care, and the current level of awareness of the developing role of the Independent Reviewing Officer.
As last year, the Monitor gives children's assessments of key issues such as bullying and the extent of worrying about bullying, keeping safe and dangers to children, consultation and involvement in decision making, care planning and leaving care. There is good news in the high overall ratings given by children to their overall care and education, together with some important messages in the proportions of children who considered their last placement and school changes to be in, or against, their best interests, and in the proportion of children who would tell friends rather than staff about major personal concerns.
The Children's Rights Director has ascertained children's views under his independent statutory duties, and is sending this report to government Ministers and opposition spokespersons, other parliamentarians who usually receive our reports, to all Directors of Children's Services, UK Children's Commissioners, and to settings that took part in the consultations for the children themselves to see.