Care experienced children disproportionately likely to be in contact with the criminal justice system
New figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that children in care were much more at risk of interacting with the criminal justice system by the age of 24 than their peers. Over half (52%) of the care experienced children had been convicted of a criminal offence by the academic year they turned 24. Among care experienced children who received an immediate custodial sentence, 92% of them had been identified with SEN and 40% who received a custodial sentence by age 24 years had a statement of SEN during their schooling. The modal SEN need identified was social, emotional and mental health with 50% being recorded as this for primary or secondary SEN type. Among those care experienced children who received a custodial sentence, 18% had been permanently excluded and 81% had been suspended during their time in education.
The figures show a clear need for further investigation into support for children in care throughout their schooling and echoes the findings of the care investigation. The social care review called for the Director of Children’s Services in local authorities to have a clear role as a champion for children and families, for the government to set out its plan to ensure that the SEND reforms are aligned to this review, and for the law commission to review the legislation that exists to support disabled children and their families. With the delays to the white paper and the green paper SEND review, this may continue to be an aim without a mandate.
