Children looked after by local authorities have higher levels of psychiatric disorder, educational difficulties and neuro-developmental disorders than children living in private households, a new study from researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s has found.
Published in the April issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, this is the first nationally representative and random study of children in care.
Lead investigator Dr Tamsin Ford and fellow researchers examined socio-demographic characteristics and psychological problems by type of placement of 1,453 children looked after in England, Wales and Scotland by local authorities, and compared them with 10,428 deprived and non-deprived children living in private households.
There were significant differences in the prevalence of psychiatric disorder according to type of placement, with high rates of emotional and conduct disorder among children living in residential care or living independently.
The highest prevalence of psychiatric disorders was among children looked after by local authorities, and the lowest was among the non-disadvantaged children from private households. Disadvantaged children from private households generally had intermediate rates.
Children with psychiatric disorder entered the care system later (average age 7.7 years), reported more changes in placement within the last 12 months, and had lived for less time in their current placement.
Dr Tamsin Ford said ?Our findings underline the need for services to ensure that the emotional and behavioural difficulties of children looked after by local authorities are understood by professionals working with these children.’
In some cases the diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder may provide access to evidence-based treatments, and reduce the chance of school and home placements breaking down. In other cases, the study suggests that it may be more appropriate to focus on changing the care or educational environment, rather than labelling affected children as psychiatrically disordered.
Dr Ford added: ?Specialist mental health services need to support the professionals working in this area to minimise the impact of being looked after, and to allow a greater proportion of these children to fulfil their potential as adults.’