Well-being of children and young people in care, 2014

How are children in care really doing? This survey assesses the well-being of 11-17 year-old children and young people who are placed in foster family care, at residential institutions or a socio-pedagogical home, or elsewhere, e.g. in their own room or in boarding school. The responses from children in care about their living conditions at a child placement facility, generally leave a positive impression, in that the majority of children are being supported by the adults at the child placement facility, and as the children are generally thriving and doing well. Despite the absence of a family, children in care feel almost as loved by their biological parents as children who are not in care. This is a very positive result. However, the general picture of children in care doing well conceals some significant variations in terms of the type of care. Often, children and young people who live in foster family care are happier with their placement than children at residential institutions and socio-pedagogical homes. Children placed in foster family care feel more supported and loved, and more often experience that the child placement facility is safe, harmonious and like being ‘at home’. The survey was commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs.