The Howard League is undertaking a programme of work to end the criminalisation of children living in residential care.
The latest Department for Education data shows that the numbers of children looked after continuously for at least 12 months has increased from 4,050 in year ending 31 March 2015 to 5,210 in year ending 31 March 2020, the number of children convicted or subject to a youth caution, including a youth conditional caution, during the year has fallen. In March 2014, 610 children (15 per cent) had been criminalised in the previous year and by March 2020, that annual figure had fallen to 280 children (5 per cent).
“Children in residential care need nurture and support, not repeated contact with the police, and it is a sign of how far we have come – and how bad things were – that they are now three times less likely to be criminalised than they were.” (Frances Crook, CEO, Howard League)
Sources:
Making Home Home 