Calls to ChildLine up 30% from children in care

[fostering]

I was really shocked to read about children as young as 5 ringing ChildLine to complain about sexual and physical abuse and neglect while in care.

I know of many carers who are refused placements for months on very flimsy charges until they can present their case at panel. It seems bizarre that while children are denied places in safe secure foster homes others have to endure abuse after they have been taken into "care"!

Discussions on the radio have raised the issue of advocates for children which would be a fantastic idea if independant of the SW's and court arena.

We have independaent advocates in our area, they are run by Barnardo's.

An advocate comes and sees the child away from the foster home to talk about any issues or ask their wishes and feelings.They are totally independent.

Also the child can have a independent visitor who befriends the child and takes them on fun days out to build up a relationship with them. It works really well and they see the child every three or four weeks for years. The child then has a confidant who is not connected to the foster family or to social services.

Are the independant visitors directed from Barnardo's aswell?

What is your source OP - can you link? Would be interested as I am a volunteer at Childline.

When I was fostering for LA we could also access Independent Advocates from Barnados (well the SW could access them). Unfortunately not all children who needed an Independent Advocate were provided with one. I may be cynical but it does seem that if there was friction between FC and SW the child was denied an Independent Advocate because s/he may have backed up the FC in areas of conflict.

Re the OP I am not sure how many 5 year olds could use a telephone independently TBH. Surely the FC would know if a child was using the telephone to report them?

Heard about it on the radio first but also read in today's Observer, page 18.

www.guardian.co.uk/search?q=society+childline&target=guardian

Yes the IV's are accessed through Barnardo' too.
The sw makes a refferal.

I used to work for an organisation which provided just that kind of service for children and young people ( up to age 26) who were or who had been looked after. Who cares ?Scotland is the name of the organisation and is, unfortunately as the name suggest only available to those in Scotland. Worth remembering the name though if you are a foster carer and are in Scotland. :) Fab organisation. I only left because I went to live abroad with my husband x