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Children removed from foster carers after “being held too tightly by the wrist” as they crossed the road (28 April 2014)

Date: 28/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Children removed from foster carers after “being held too tightly by the wrist” as they crossed the road

Social workers have removed two children from the care of foster parents, after social workers claimed they had “manhandled” them by holding onto their wrists “too tightly” as they crossed the road.

The Sun reports that the children were immediately removed from their foster parents and placed in the care of another family by social workers in Buckinghamshire.

The case is among 233 cases involving children in care being removed from foster homes last year. There are currently 68,111 children in care and of these, 50,900 are living in stable homes. It is estimated that one in every 166 children in the UK is now in care.

Foster Talk – which offers support to foster parents – says that most allegations of child abuse by children in care turn out to be false. The company says that some children believe if they accuse their foster parents of mistreatment, social services will return them to their parents. Low esteem among foster children may also be another reason why they make false allegation of abuse against their foster family, Foster Talk advises.

Children who may have been abused in another situation may also make a false allegation of abuse as a means of bringing about discussion of what has happened to them, says Foster Talk. The organisation’s website says that sometimes abuse in a family can be preceded by a cuddle or familial kiss before bedtime – and therefore if a foster parent does the same, it may be misinterpreted by a child who has suffered abuse.

However, there are concerns that classing holding a child by the wrist “too tightly” while crossing a road as abusive behaviour might deter foster parents from coming forward – or lead to false allegations of abuse, either from foster children towards their foster family or by social services.

Children's director of Buckinghamshire County Council, Sue Imbriano said:

“Social workers are having to make extremely difficult decisions on a daily basis, but they are always made in the context of wanting to ensure the best outcomes for young people.”

Foster Talk says that in some rare cases, allegations of abuse against foster carers are found to be true.

“It is in these instances that the sometimes stressful and emotional investigation process is shown to be worthwhile,” says the organisation.

In 2012, Channel 4 investigated abuse of children in foster care and found that, although Ofsted collates data on the number of allegations and referrals each year, there are no available statistics on how many children suffer abuse in foster care – or how many foster parents or families are accused of abusing foster children in their care; or what happens to the children or the carers who face abuse allegations.

The number of children in care is rising and most are taken into Local Authority care because of neglect or abuse.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise those facing charges of child abuse at any stage of a charge – including charges involving false allegations of child abuse.

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid and our criminal solicitors are available 24/7, 365 days of the year – our crime solicitors regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons.

For expert legal advice on charges of child abuse or false allegations of child abuse, contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours criminal law advice and representation contact the Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors Out-of-Hours Emergency Hotline on 07920 977057.


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