Being away from my son’s care home is ‘devastating’
A mother has described her son being moved to a care home 90 miles (145 km) away as “devastating”.
Louise Johnstone’s son Leo has a rare genetic condition and is being cared for in Preston, which she said is a long way from their Wigton home.
According to recent figures, 55% of children looked after by Cumberland Council are placed more than 20 miles (32 km) from home – the highest rate in England.
The council said this had reduced the number of young people in care and led to significant improvements in children’s services.
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which now funds Leo’s care, said proximity to home was one of its “key considerations” in finding care places.
Ms Johnstone said: “It’s really devastating.
“I remember how I felt that day when he left here and went to a place he had never been before.”
Leo has FOXP1 syndrome which affects brain development, hampering learning and speaking.
He moved into a care home in 2021 when his needs became so great that it became difficult for his parents to stay at home.
He is now 18 and his care is fully funded by the NHS, but he was previously under the care of Cumbria County Council, which was disbanded in 2023. In the overhaul of local councils,
Josh McAllister, Labor MP for Whitehaven and Workington, who led Children’s social care review The previous government said moving people away from their communities would affect “disadvantaged” vulnerable children.
Katherine Sacks-Jones, CEO of children’s charity Become, said remote placements could be “disruptive” and “traumatic”.
Cumberland Council, which was set up last year, said it had improved children’s services, achieving a “good” Ofsted rating.
Labor council leader Mark Fryer said: “The previous county council was either inadequate or in need of improvement for almost 20 years and in 18 months we have transformed it by giving it good status – a huge achievement.”
The council also said it planned to build new, local children’s homes.
