Vulnerable children across England are finding themselves placed in unsuitable housing situations, including caravans and airbnb rentals, raising serious concerns about the adequacy of the social care system meant to protect them. This shocking reality was highlighted by the recent report released by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, which detailed significant failures affecting children under deprivation of liberty orders (DoLs). According to the report, many of these children are not placed where they belong—in properly supervised and supportive children's homes—but instead are left to navigate the chaos of inappropriate accommodation.
The report revealed a steep increase, from just 359 applications for DoLs back in 2020/21 to over 1,368 by 2023. The system, as it stands, appears to prioritize immediate logistical solutions over the long-term safety and well-being of vulnerable young people.
One of the most alarming cases cited involved an autistic teenager, who was housed for nine months under supervision at an Airbnb after being discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately, she was subjected to this situation due to pressures to find alternative housing, as she did not meet the criteria to continue being held under the Mental Health Act.
Another distressing anecdote involves teenage girls with histories of domestic violence and neglect who found themselves placed temporarily in caravans. The transition from conventional care options to makeshift housing arrangements not only reflects systemic inadequacies but also reveals how existing resources may not be conducive to properly safeguarding children's rights.
Dame Rachel pointed out, “The majority of children under these orders belong to the care system. While some are appropriately housed, many are left stranded in illegal children’s homes, Airbnbs, or even hospital wards awaiting discharge.” This inadequate housing situation often leads to feelings of insecurity and neglect among these children, exacerbated by the trauma they have already experienced.
Beyond presenting the problems, the report also provided recommendations aimed at fostering change within the system. Dame Rachel called for reducing the number of children subjected to DoLs, emphasizing the need for these individuals to never be placed within illegal children's homes, which exists outside proper regulatory frameworks.
She outlined the necessity for clarity and transparency within the decision-making processes, reinforcing the importance of giving children greater agency and oversight from judicial authorities to review local decisions every quarter. Dame Rachel emphasized, “Depriving a child of their liberty is one of the most substantial interventions the state can make. The current system too often neglects the basic needs of these children.”
Further underscoring these concerns, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson commented on the heartbreaking situations many of these young people endure, often facing familial challenges and systemic failings. She expressed the government's commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for these children, promising to develop more community-based provisions.
Phillipson stated, “Our plans will go beyond just addressing the current pitfalls, aiming to eliminate instances of care providers profiting off vulnerable children and creating unregistered placements. We need to shift focus back to timely intervention to help children thrive.”
The call for “radical investment” also featured prominently throughout the report, which urged for new and safe living spaces to support children’s growth and development. Dame Rachel concluded by insisting on no more delays; immediate action is needed to bring about the necessary reforms to protect these vulnerable individuals.
She advocates for systemic change now, stating, “The children living in the care system today need urgent and bold change—no more strategies, no more debates.” This reflects the growing recognition within the government and social care communities of the imperative to prioritize the needs of young people, ensuring their safety and fostering positive outcomes.
This troubling report paints not only a picture of desperation among England’s vulnerable children but also beckons for immediate reforms within the country's social care system. The echoed message is clear: children should never adapt to unsuitable conditions such as caravans or hastily arranged accommodations when their fundamental need for safety, stability, and nurturing should take precedence.
Addressing these concerns of inadequate housing for vulnerable children is not merely about compliance with systems and regulations but about acknowledging their basic rights to grow up safe, happy, and secure, as stipulated by Dame Rachel. Our collective responsibility is to make this right accessible to every child, especially those most at risk, emphasizing urgent change across the board.
