Latest news with #childrenInCare
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillor loses role for children in care remarks
A newly elected councillor who called some children in care "downright evil" has been removed from his committee role, after his party called the comments "clumsy and regrettable". Reform UK's Andy Osborn made the remark during Cambridgeshire County Council's children and young people committee meeting on Tuesday. Group leader James Sidlow said he would sit on the panel instead of Osborn after the issue was dealt with internally. The councillor has been contacted for comment. "Councillor Osborn's comments were clumsy and regrettable," Sidlow said. "[They] do not reflect or represent those of our local Reform UK group or those of the national party." Osborn told the meeting, covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, that some children in care were "not just naughty children, they can be downright evil". He said he had heard of cases where youngsters were "smashing cars up", "running away from home" and were "on drugs". He added: "It is not just a case of somebody being a bad boy or a bad girl, it is a case of they have learnt from their bad parents not to react correctly." Other councillors and an executive director have highlighted that children who are taken into care have experienced trauma, which could lead to challenging behaviour. Prior to Osborn's removal, the county council issued a statement in which it said it "reaffirms its commitment to children in care and people with care experience". Committee chairwoman Edna Murphy said society "too often" did not take the needs of those children into account. The Liberal Democrat said the local authority took its responsibilities "very seriously", adding: "These children are our children and, like any parent, we want to ensure they get the best services and support." The meeting was told the council, which is run by the Lib Dems following May's election, had overspent on care placements by £7.5m. Its executive director for children, education and families, Martin Purbrick, said: "We offer support to all those families who need it. "Our low rate of children in care compared to many other areas really demonstrates the success of our services." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Councillor says some children in care are 'evil' Cambridgeshire County Council
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire councillor loses role for children in care remarks
A newly elected councillor who called some children in care "downright evil" has been removed from his committee role, after his party called the comments "clumsy and regrettable".Reform UK's Andy Osborn made the remark during Cambridgeshire County Council's children and young people committee meeting on leader James Sidlow said he would sit on the panel instead of Osborn after the issue was dealt with internally. The councillor has been contacted for comment. "Councillor Osborn's comments were clumsy and regrettable," Sidlow said."[They] do not reflect or represent those of our local Reform UK group or those of the national party."Osborn told the meeting, covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, that some children in care were "not just naughty children, they can be downright evil".He said he had heard of cases where youngsters were "smashing cars up", "running away from home" and were "on drugs".He added: "It is not just a case of somebody being a bad boy or a bad girl, it is a case of they have learnt from their bad parents not to react correctly." Other councillors and an executive director have highlighted that children who are taken into care have experienced trauma, which could lead to challenging to Osborn's removal, the county council issued a statement in which it said it "reaffirms its commitment to children in care and people with care experience".Committee chairwoman Edna Murphy said society "too often" did not take the needs of those children into Liberal Democrat said the local authority took its responsibilities "very seriously", adding: "These children are our children and, like any parent, we want to ensure they get the best services and support."The meeting was told the council, which is run by the Lib Dems following May's election, had overspent on care placements by £ executive director for children, education and families, Martin Purbrick, said: "We offer support to all those families who need it."Our low rate of children in care compared to many other areas really demonstrates the success of our services." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire councillor says some children in care are 'evil'
A councillor has told a committee meeting that some children in care are "not just naughty children, they can be downright evil".Reform UK's Andy Osborn made the comment during a Cambridgeshire County Council meeting, which heard that the authority had overspent on care placements by £ director for children, education and families Martin Purbrick said "any child in care is a child that has experienced early childhood trauma" and that had "really changed the way that they are able to manage their own emotions".He added that the overspend at the Liberal Democrat-run council was mainly due to more children than expected going into care. Mr Osborn told the Children and Young People Committee that he had heard of cases where children were "smashing cars up, running away from home, and are on drugs", according to the Local Democracy Reporting said: "It is not just a case of somebody being a bad boy or a bad girl, it is a case of they have learnt from their bad parents not to react correctly."Mr Purbrick said: "Sometimes [trauma] can manifest itself in behaviours like you have described... but I do think it is important that we as a committee also remember that under that behaviour is a child that has experienced something incredibly difficult and something that has really changed the way that they are able to manage their own emotions."Liberal Democrat member Anna Bradnam said children's behaviour could be challenging because they had been through "a very challenging time beforehand".Labour's Bryony Goodliffe said: "They are our children under the corporate parenting legislation. They are very much our responsibility."Despite the overspend, Cambridgeshire had some of the lowest numbers of children going into care in the region, Mr Purbrick said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wolverhampton prom initiative for children in care
People are being encouraged to help send children in care to their City of Wolverhampton Council has launched a fundraiser to raise money to put towards prom outfits for 60 children in Jacqui Coogan said the initiative would allow those in year 11 to celebrate their successes with friends and teachers "creating lifelong memories".Coogan added: "For many of these young people, prom is a significant part of their educational journey, marking the end of their time at school and the beginning of the next chapters in their lives." She said: "All donations, no matter how big or small, will be hugely appreciated and will make a remarkable difference to the young people we care for."To make a donation email: should be made by 6 June 2025. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fewer children in Northamptonshire going into care, report says
A new report has found fewer children are entering care in Northamptonshire following improvements made by social inspectors visited Northamptonshire Children's Trust, the organisation that oversees services in the county, and highlighted progress since its last inspection in improvements identified in the report included a more stable workforce, better-quality assessments and fewer children placed in unregistered Wooster, chairwoman of the trust, said reducing the number of children going into care had been a "key focus for us". Inspectors carried out the "focused report" in April - whereby they examine particular aspects of the report noted that more children were staying safely with parents or other family through kinship arrangements. Kinship arrangements are when an extended family member or close friend is checked to make sure they can care for a child, instead of the child entering foster those who do enter care, most now moved into homes or foster placements that met their needs - the report workers were also getting better at making sure children in care find a stable, permanent home, without unnecessary delays, inspectors added."Most children in care enjoy positive relationships with consistent social workers who know them well," said Ofsted inspector Rachel Griffiths."Social workers speak about the children they support with pride and warmth." 'Momentum' Northamptonshire Children's Trust delivers care on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire was set up in 2020 after the previous service was rated as inadequate.A serious case review had already concluded that the previous service failed to protect two children who were Shaw, from West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Ofsted has acknowledged the strong and steady focus on making things better - especially the progress we've made in creating more stability across the workforce. "We're committed to keeping that momentum going."Inspectors flagged areas needing improvement, such as delays in securing permanent placements for some children, inconsistencies in case recording, and managerial Wooster said her teams were "committed" to addressing these issues. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
