David Hinchliffe MP calls for children's issues to be given more attention

A report from the House of Commons Health Select Committee finds that some strong-willed and talented individuals survive the care system and do well in later life, but the odds are stacked against the majority.

Between 50% and 75% of the young people leaving local authority care in England complete their schooling with no formal qualifications, compared with only 6% of the general population.

And only 12% to 19% go on to further education, compared with 68% of the general population.

"Nothing contributes more to low self-esteem and under-achievement on the part of children than the sense that they are uncared-for parcels to be passed from one social worker or foster carer to another," the report says.

The committee also notes that between 50% and 80% of care leavers are unemployed, while 38% of young prisoners and 30% of young, single homeless people have been in care.

Call for improvements

The report makes a series of recommendations for improving the prospects of young people in care. They include:

• Government funding to provide family support services across the country.

• Action to tackle the problem of frequent moves between placements with different carers.

• Inviting the government's Social Exclusion Unit to investigate issues relating to children in care.

• Providing children in care with an adult mentor to help their development.

• The establishment of a Cabinet sub-committee to co-ordinate children's interests and the appointement of a Children's Rights Commissioner for the UK.

The committee, chaired by Labour MP David Hinchliffe, also criticises the Department of Health for repeatedly disregarding the statutory requirement to submit an annual report to Parliament on the working of the Children Act.