Children's social care 'crumbling' and 'not fit for purpose' warns foster carer

23 May 2022, 16:53

'There are big problems with the care system.'

By James Bickerton

Children's social care in England is "crumbling away" and "not fit for purpose" according to an incendiary warning from Martin Barrow, a journalist and foster carer.

He was reacting to the publication of a damning report into children's care from Josh MacAlister, chair of the Independent Review of Children's Care in England.

The report was starkly critical of the current "faltering" system, arguing change is "now both morally urgent and financially unavoidable".

Mr Barrow, who covers the care sector extensively in his work, backed its findings on LBC.

Speaking to presenter Shelagh Fogarty he said: "The report articulates what most people already realise about the care system; that it's crumbling away, it's not fit for purpose.

"There are lots of big problems with the care system and I think it's good it's all been brought together in one document."

READ MORE: Fourteen hospital security staff arrested after 'roughing up' public

'Children are being sent to live far from home!'

Asked specifically what needs to change he added: "We need more support.

"We could do with greater stability in the workforce of social workers - personnel changes constantly and you're therefore having to pretty much start again.

"Things take a very long time. I can understand why this is so, but of course when you're a 13-year-old trying to put your life back together with the help of a foster carer these decisions seen to take forever and it is simply not fair.

"The court process is very delayed. It takes a long time for decisions to go to court, and for the decisions that are taken to be implemented and all these things take a very long time."

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the MacAlister report is "the start of a journey".

He added: "We are ready to meet the challenge set by this review and I will set out my plans for bold and ambitious change in the coming months."

READ MORE: Nurse, 27, arrested over 'fatal poisoning of child' in Birmingham Children's Hospital

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller

Shelagh and Ricardo Dos Santos

'It's sickening': Ricardo Dos Santos speaks to Shelagh Fogarty as two officers sacked over stop and search

Shelagh

Rishi Sunak has 'failed monumentally' to 'humanise' both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict says Israel expert

Shelagh and Callum

Twitter is a 'particularly dangerous' place to get information now says the Centre for Countering Digital Hate

Shelagh and caller Simon

LBC caller details 'disgusting anti-Semitic' act he witnessed, as hate crimes rise in fall out of Israel-Hamas war

Sister of missing Israeli woman

'We hope she's hiding somewhere': Sister of missing Israeli festival goer fears she is being held hostage by Hamas

Distraught caller on Israel-Gaza conflict.

'This is a war against Hamas!': Distraught caller wants Israel and Palestine to take down the 'enemy' together

Shelagh and Alicia Kearns

Head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee expresses concern over Israeli 'siege of Gaza'

Shelagh Fogarty caller on facial recognition.

This caller lacks 'trust' in the government's handling of the AI facial recognition debate

Shelagh condemns PM's comments on 'dignity' of the elderly.

'He painted a picture of a Britain that the Conservatives meant to build...': Shelagh Fogarty condemns PM's suggestion that elderly have 'dignity'

Shelagh Fogarty on Jenrick

'We're full aren't we?': Shelagh questions Robert Jenrick's motive behind encouraging Brits to increase birth rate