286 children are being housed out of the borough this financial year. [Credit: Getty Images]
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Hundreds of young children in the care system are being transferred away from their communities. Some babies are being moved as far away as Cambridgeshire.
This year Southwark Council oversaw 286 children being housed out of the borough.
In certain cases children have remained nearby, living in Croyden, Lewisham and Bexley. However, others have been sent as far away as Buckingham and Cambridgeshire.
Concern has been raised for those children housed away from their local community.
Earlier this year an all-party parliamentary group noted that children living in distant placements are more likely to go missing.
According to the group these children are also at a higher risk of physical and sexual abuse, criminality and homeless.
‘The council always puts the needs of a child first when we make a decision about one of our looked-after children.’ – Jasmine Ali, Southwark Council
Southwark Council’s cabinet member for children, schools and adult care, Jasmine Ali, insists that the child’s needs must come first.
‘We will generally try to place young people with family members where possible, and often this means moving outside of the borough.’
‘In some cases, the specialist provision required by a child might only be available in a limited number of places around the country. Whatever the reason, the needs, well-being, and safety of the child will always drive our decision about the best place for one of our looked after children to live.’
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HeadlineHundreds of children in care moved far from home boroughs
Short HeadlineChildren in care far from home boroughs
StandfirstA report found that vulnerable children in South London, have been moved to live outside of their home boroughs.
Hundreds of young children in the care system are being transferred away from their communities. Some babies are being moved as far away as Cambridgeshire.
This year Southwark Council oversaw 286 children being housed out of the borough.
In certain cases children have remained nearby, living in Croyden, Lewisham and Bexley. However, others have been sent as far away as Buckingham and Cambridgeshire.
Concern has been raised for those children housed away from their local community.
Earlier this year an all-party parliamentary group noted that children living in distant placements are more likely to go missing.
According to the group these children are also at a higher risk of physical and sexual abuse, criminality and homeless.
‘The council always puts the needs of a child first when we make a decision about one of our looked-after children.’ – Jasmine Ali, Southwark Council
Southwark Council’s cabinet member for children, schools and adult care, Jasmine Ali, insists that the child’s needs must come first.
‘We will generally try to place young people with family members where possible, and often this means moving outside of the borough.’
‘In some cases, the specialist provision required by a child might only be available in a limited number of places around the country. Whatever the reason, the needs, well-being, and safety of the child will always drive our decision about the best place for one of our looked after children to live.’
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