Review launched to examine why children in care end up in the criminal justice system

"An independent review is being launched to examine why so many children in care in England and Wales end up in the criminal justice system. "

"The Prison Reform Trust, which set up the review, says children aged 10 to 17 in care are more than five times as likely to be in trouble than others."

"The Lord Laming-led inquiry will look at how often children change home and how authorities deal with behaviour."

"A government spokeswoman said they were committed to helping care leavers."

"Fewer than 1% of children and young people are in the care of local authorities, but a third of boys and 61% of girls in custody either are in care or have been, Lord Laming - a former probation officer and social worker - said."

"It is a huge step for the state to assume the parenting of a child or young person," he added. "With that comes the responsibility to provide stability, security and hope for the future."...

"An NSPCC spokesman said: "The fact that the majority of children in care have suffered abuse or neglect means they need extra help to rebuild their lives and they must not be written off by society." [There is no recognition by the NSPCC that the care system itself damages many children.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33221247