System failures in Scottish care 'putting children's mental health at risk'

Fundamental changes need to be made to Scotland’s care system as a matter of urgency, researchers have concluded following a study involving hundreds of children in foster care.

The study looked at improving the mental health of children aged up to five-years-old in foster and kinship care.

It found authoritative and consistent oversight of a child’s journey through the care system was crucial in safeguarding children’s wellbeing.

The researchers believe better and quicker decisions would be made if a single sheriff or expert oversaw a child’s journey through care proceedings.

The study by University of Glasgow in partnership with NSPCC and other universities was the largest of its kind, involving 488 children and their families from Glasgow and London.

Helen Minnis, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Glasgow, said: “We know infant mental health interventions work well in many circumstances, and our study targeted the children who most need these services.

“Yet, our study showed it was impossible to deliver infant mental health services to these children because of failings in our systems.

“Short timescales in England affected families’ ability to access treatment.

“Yet in Scotland, with no legal timescales, we found there were significant delays and drift in the care system, having an unacceptable impact on young children’s mental health and also creating massive unnecessary costs to the Scottish economy.

“It is urgent that changes are made to the care system in the UK so that young children in foster care, and their families, can receive the help they need.”

Matt Forde, NSPCC partnerships and development director, said: “Sadly, children in foster care are more likely to have mental health difficulties.

“Experiences of abuse and neglect are part of this, and what happens once a child is in care can also affect their mental health.

“Our first relationships and experiences are the building blocks of our wellbeing and development.

“Providing early mental health support for infants and their parents and foster carers, helps build trusting relationships between the child and the adults caring for them.

“This can break down barriers and help parents better understand their child’s experiences and find new ways to connect.

“Such services need to be an integral part of the social care and family justice system, so recommendations from treatment can properly inform life-changing decisions for these children.

“For that to be made possible, it is crucial that we have clear authoritative leadership at every stage of a child’s journey through the care system to make sure timely decisions are made.”