Children in Care
Children in care have significantly higher rates of mental health difficulties compared to the general population, with many meeting the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. This is often attributed to pre-care experiences of trauma, abuse, or neglect, as well as the challenges associated with being in the care system itself. Despite the increased need, many children in care face barriers to accessing appropriate mental health support, with a significant proportion of care leavers with identified mental health needs not receiving adequate statutory support.
