English children put into care in Scotland amid lack of capacity

A LACK of capacity is meaning vulnerable kids in England are being put into foster care and children’s homes in Scotland, a new report has revealed. An investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into social care in the UK found that stakeholders are raising concerns about the practice.

They warned that young people are facing disruption at school after being placed into different legal and educational systems – all due to a lack of spaces near their home area. It could mean some kids from as far away as London are being placed into care in Scotland.

The investigation also revealed difficulties in Scotland placing children with disabilities or complex needs. And it found Scottish children in the care system were more likely to be separated from their siblings than their counterparts in England. The CMA reported that in England in 2019/20, 1400 (13% of all siblings in care) siblings were not placed according to their plan. In Scotland, there were 200 sibling groups separated after being placed into foster care - more than 20% of all sibling groups in foster care.

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Original source: The National