Children in care ‘may lose family contact’

Children who are in long-term care may lose all contact with family and friends, according to new report findings.

Over 400 children and young people who took part in a survey were asked about staying in touch and losing contact with their nearest and dearest while in care.

The report, which is entitled Keeping in Touch and was published today, determined that the longer children are in the care system, the more likely they are to lose touch with family.

Results showed that those in children’s homes were 58 per cent more likely to have contact with mothers compared to 42 per cent of those in foster care. Although figures found the opposite for fathers, with 52 per cent losing contact to 41 per cent in foster care.

Children’s rights director, Dr Roger Morgan said: “It is essential that children have the opportunity to voice their concerns in order to improve services for children in care. This is why this report about keeping in touch with birth families is important.”