Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I support these amendments. The level of conduct disorder in this group of children is extraordinarily high. I think we were all shocked when the Office for National Statistics first produced its study of these children, especially those in residential child care. I cannot remember the exact figures now but perhaps the Minister will be able to help when he replies. What are we doing to these residential child care workers and foster carers by placing with them these children, who are so troubled because of their earlier experiences, without putting in place the right support for them? It must be one factor at least for the turnover of staff. I beg the Minister to use any influence he has to increase the level of indirect support to the carers of children in care so that they can have access to high-quality consultation. On children’s homes, for instance, the Warner report, Choosing with care, said that on the Continent it is a common practice that children’s homes are supported on a regular basis by a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist and a psychologist, the staff have a chance at a weekly meeting to discuss cases with them and that the manager gets individual support. The system works so well. I have seen it work well in children’s homes in this country but it is not universal. If the Minister can do anything in the guidance to promote that model it will assist in the retention of staff and lead to improvements in referrals of children to higher level CAMHS. One final point. One could always tell care leavers in the past because of their dental condition and the way their teeth had been looked after. I know there have been improvements but this issue needs continued attention.