Children in care given bigger say

Children and families minister Kevin Brennan declared that young people in care should be given more control over when they move out and start living independently.

Pilot projects will start across the country this month to look at how best to plan care around the needs of the children, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said.

This would allow them more say over whether they stay in care until the age of 18, or move out into independent flats or hostels, the Government said.

Mr Brennan said: "We want to transform the lives of children in care, improve their educational attainment and give them the same chance in life as other children.

"As part of this, we want to see them given more choice about their placements and to be in charge of when they leave care.

"Not all children are ready to live independently at the age of 16 - especially if they want to do A-levels and consider going to university."

The minister added that stable placements and the planning of care around a child's needs lead to more taking an active role in society, which benefits the country as a whole.

There are 11 projects starting this month in areas including Bournemouth, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Merton, North Tyneside, Oxfordshire, South Gloucestershire, Plymouth and Tower Hamlets.

The programme - Right2bCared4 - will run for three years, after which what has been learned will be passed on to the local authorities to help them plan the care they provide.