There are about 2000 children in care in Birmingham of whom 1400 are of school age although the population fluctuates greatly. About 80% are in foster care and about 20% are in residential units (children’s homes).

Children enter care for a number of reasons, generally abuse or neglect, family dysfunction, disability of the child, disability or illness of the parent, absent parents and for socially unacceptable behaviour.

Our children do have problems, which is hardly surprising, because of some of the experiences they have had and coming into care is a difficult time for anyone. Looked After children and young people often say that the one really stable part of their lives is school or college.