Church of England Backs Greater Support for Children in Care

YORK — The Church of England's General Synod has unanimously backed a motion calling for stronger national and local support for children in care, care leavers and those who care for them.

The motion asks the House of Bishops to appoint a lead bishop with responsibility for ensuring that the voices of looked-after children and care-experienced young adults are heard. It also asks dioceses to consider proportionate action to support young people and the communities caring for them.

More than 80,000 children are currently looked after in England, according to information presented during the debate. The motion received 282 votes, with no votes against and no abstentions.

The debate was introduced by General Synod member Billy-Jo O'Leary, who spoke about her personal experience of entering care, later facing homelessness and involvement with the criminal-justice system. She also described the importance of people who provided stability and encouragement during difficult periods.

Synod members heard that churches and dioceses are already supporting children and care-experienced young people through schools, youth work, fostering organisations and community initiatives. However, the level of involvement varies considerably between areas.

A lead bishop could provide national visibility, advocate for young people and encourage consistent good practice. The role could also help ensure that care-experienced people are considered in discussions involving housing, education, mental health, safeguarding and the criminal-justice system.

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham told Synod that he and his wife had served as local-authority foster carers for 14 years. He argued that Christian concern for children in care should involve practical action and the pursuit of justice.

Church-based support might include mentoring, assistance for foster and kinship carers, educational help, employment preparation, befriending and partnerships with local authorities or specialist charities. Such activities were not prescribed in detail by the motion and would need to be developed according to local capacity.

Any work involving vulnerable children and young adults must operate within proper safeguarding, data-protection and professional boundaries. Churches should work with care-experienced people and established organisations rather than designing services without their participation.

The unanimous vote sends a strong message of intent. Its significance will ultimately depend on whether dioceses turn the resolution into sustained, appropriately trained and properly resourced support.