Care Experienced Children

Contact

Sean O’Neill, Deputy CEO & Policy Director

sean.oneill@childreninwales.org.uk

Care experienced children are those who are either looked after by the state under Wales national legislation, or were previously looked after by the state.  In Welsh law, they are defined as Looked after Children or Care Leavers.  The number of children subject to care proceedings has increased over recent years, with the majority entering care due to abuse or neglect.  Compared with their peers they generally have poorer outcomes in relation to their education and health, with many experiencing isolation and continued vulnerability whilst in care. Despite improvement in the care system, many children go on to have poor experiences upon leaving care, including problems in relation to poverty, housing and employment.

Children in Wales’ work in this area includes:

  • Proactively engaging with Welsh Government and other stakeholders in the development of legislation and policies as they impact on care experienced children
  • Working in partnership and delivering training and workshops to support our member organisations who deliver services to care experienced children
  • Managing projects which directly engage and build the capacity of care experienced children
  • Informing and supporting external research and enquiries into services for care experienced children
  • Engaging with the issues impacting on accommodated children at a European level, through our work with Eurochild
  • Providing information and a signposting service for our member organisations in relation to services for care experienced children
  • Producing reports and resources

Projects Related to Care Experienced Children

Getting Ready Project