Barnardo’s report that responses to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to 152 local authorities in England show an increase in children in care who are not matched with an Independent Visitor, adult volunteers who provide support to children in care.
The FOI shows that: 1,202 children were waiting to be matched with a ‘buddy’, an increase of 20% since 2015; 92% of children on waiting lists are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups; ten local authorities did not provide an Independent Visitor service despite a statutory duty to do so.
Further details are available here >