Children to pay for being taken into care

[OnlyMeHereNow]

Proposals from Worcestershire CC to charge parents or children for local authority care costs

I am outraged. As a care leaver from Worcestershire, and also as a previous local politician from Worcestershire, I am horrified. I need more information on this (is there a consultation? I cant find any documentation). Does anyone have the contact details for the journalist (Robert Booth, or Richard Seymour). I need to know what's going on, and I need (not much time right now) to explain why this is such a terrible, awful idea.

Do you agree? Is it a terrible idea?

Erm. What on earth?

I have no words.

Surely this would be illegal?

you found some words, then

Got me there. I am guilty of typing as I think from time to time...

But seriously, what do you think SDhopeful? Children pay?

How can children pay? I don't understand.

This is awful/ridiculous and unthinkable. Kids pay enough emotionally when they're in the care system. However, I have recently (I work in social care with teenagers) come across several families who feel it is the 'norm' to kick their 16/17 year old out of the family home in order I speed up social housing situation. Beyond ludicrous and totally damaging I children however it is looked at.

Children can't pay, so this is nonsense (but is in the Guardian, so nonsense to be expected).

how on earth could a child pay? this has disgusted me tbh- this isn't right at all.

Horrific. You can contact Richard Seymour through his blog| Lenin's Tomb, where there is more posted on this subject. Or go through his publisher Verso.

That is horrendous. No. No way ever should this happen.

I haven't read the article but I would imagine the children pay when they are adults? Great... just disadvantage care leavers further by saddling them with a massive bill

Good grief. How despicable. I can't believe a council ever even thought of this, let alone plans to put it into action! Who the hell are they 'consulting'?

No idea why SD is bashing the Guardian - they have exposed this appalling plan, it's not their idea, fgs.

It's not nonsense. The consultation document exists on Worcester CC's own consultation portal and can be read here

It's mentioned repeatedly throughout the document - section 5.11, 6.1, 7.1, 7.9, 10.1, 10.3, and all of section 11 which deals with recovery action through the courts.

Thank you so much for the info and discussion. Will read the consultation document shortly.