Recent reports from England reveal alarming conditions faced by vulnerable children placed under deprivation of liberty orders. Many of these children are being housed in accommodations deemed "highly unsuitable," including caravans and short-term rentals like Airbnbs. This situation, described as a "stark failure" of the children's social care system, has raised significant concerns among advocacy groups and lawmakers.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, expressed her deep concern over this issue, emphasizing the necessity of proper care and supervision for these children as mandated by government guidelines. According to her findings, there are substantial inadequacies within the current system, and many of these young individuals are living without the support they critically need.
The number of applications for deprivation of liberty orders (DoLs) has sharply escalated from 359 in 2020/21 to 1,368 this year. This rise reflects growing challenges faced by the social care system and highlights the urgent need for reform. Dame Rachel noted, "The children living under these circumstances are enduring experiences no child should face, and their basic rights to safety and happiness are too often being ignored. This is exacerbated by decisions driven more by local resource availability than by what is best for the child."
This past Monday, she released her report detailing the experiences of children who have been subjected to these orders, showcasing several graphic accounts of youngsters placed under enforced conditions. One case involved an autistic teenager who struggled to meet the criteria for mental health care and was forced to stay at an Airbnb by local authorities. Another teenage girl, having suffered from domestic violence and neglect, was placed first in temporary care and later ended up living under increasingly precarious conditions, including within caravans.
Dame Rachel insisted, "Depriving someone of their liberty is one of the most significant interventions the state can make. It is appalling to see children placed where they feel unsafe and unloved, and this forces them to endure additional trauma." Such placements, she argues, run contrary to the intent of providing equitable and nurturing environments for children requiring special attention.
Her report has urged for tangible reforms to be implemented. It recommends reducing the number of children placed under deprivation of liberty orders and unequivocally banning placements within illegal children’s homes or temporary setups lacking oversight. Dame Rachel also called for stringent law reforms to improve transparency and decision-making processes within the local authorities. She believes children should have clearer voices concerning decisions impacting their lives and the process should include judicial review every three months.
“We need to create new, safe accommodations particularly for vulnerable children. It's unacceptable to continue this way,” she stressed. It is clear she hopes to prevent profit-driven decisions within the care sector from taking precedence over the well-being of children.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also commented, stating, "Children who have been deprived of their liberty are facing situations far too distressing and painful. It’s heart-wrenching when the system intended to protect them becomes part of their trauma.” She affirmed her commitment to improving outcomes for these young people by developing community-based solutions targeting their specific needs.
Campaigners advocating for vulnerability and children's rights echoed the Commissioner’s calls for urgent reform. Larry O’Neill from the Children’s Advocacy Coalition mentioned, "Children should never be treated like commodities, and we cannot forsake their emotional and physical safety for administrative convenience. Our priority must be to provide secure and welcoming homes for these young people, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld at all times."
Calls for more significant investment and reform within the child social care system also touch upon the broader conversation surrounding youth welfare. The balancing act between ensuring care and maintaining fiscal responsibility is ever-challenging, but as Dame Rachel emphasizes, the priority should be clear: "Children deserve safety, care, and the opportunity to thrive. We must act decisively to build strong foundations for their futures."
