Children's Commissioner for England
@ChildrensComm
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Official Twitter account for the independent Children's Commissioner for England @Rachel_deSouza.
Joined June 2010
Children are passionate about making change - but only 1 in 5 feel like those in power listen. I'm taking their voices, views & experiences to politicians & policymakers with this challenge: listen, and act on what children are telling you. #TheBigAmbition
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We're launching #TheBigAsk with @MarcusRashford! We want as many children as possible to take part and get their voice heard, so we can tell Government what children really think to make their lives happier.
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Damage to children’s mental health caused by Covid crisis could last for years without a large-scale increase for children’s mental health services - our report published today
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'Bin liners are NOT suitcases' children in care campaign to have their belongings and placement moves treated with more respect
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The Govt must be more ambitious about improving children’s mental health services. We want to see a counsellor in every secondary school and a system that identifies problems early. Those who do need help should not have to wait months for an appointment.
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Very high numbers of girls are self-harming. The need for better mental health support and a greater focus on wellbeing is urgent. These children can’t wait five years for help, they need it now. Govt must be more ambitious.
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Today I am launching #TheBigAmbition, a new campaign to hear directly from children & young people about what they want from Government to make their lives better. Find out more & get involved here: .
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Today’s research from the Royal Foundation highlights the importance of the early years. We too are exploring this as part of our independent #familyreview. Read their report here
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Today we are launching “The Childhood Commission”, a once in a generation “Beveridge Report for children” with an ambitious call to rebuild childhood after the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Please watch tonight's important programme presented by @lemnsissay.
"When people hear you're a care kid, it's like a disease.". Young people share their experiences of being in care with writer @lemnsissay. Watch - Superkids: Breaking Away From Care on Wednesday 28 November, 10pm @Channel4
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Thousands of children in care being ‘failed by the state’ because of a broken residential care home market - our reports published today
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Today we celebrate #WorldChildrensDay on the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Promoting children’s rights and shining a light on the lives of children in England is at the heart of what we do. Click on the link in our profile to find out more.
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Despite being one of the richest economies in the world, today’s @jrf_uk report shows there are millions of British children growing up in poverty, and that in work poverty is rising. Govts have reduced child poverty in the past and have a moral duty to do the same again.
WATCH > We all believe work should be a route to a better life. But in-work poverty has been rising faster than employment, with nearly all of the increase among working parents. There are now 4m workers in poverty, around one in eight in the economy #SolveUKPoverty #bbcnewsten
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We want as many children as possible to take part in our upcoming survey, so we can tell the Government what children think and what they need to make their lives happier. We need your help to spread the word 👇
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I have written to Dept of Health and Social Care to urge them to prioritise access to vaccines for people working with children: teachers, nursery staff, social workers and children’s home staff. These professionals are on the frontline of keeping schools open and children safe.
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Our report on Tuesday will reveal in stark terms how neurodivergent children are being robbed of precious years of their childhoods, facing delays and inequalities with getting diagnoses and support for autism, ADHD and other conditions like cerebral palsy.
Crisis in autism care as patients wait four years for diagnosis @thetimes - using my data powers I have exposed the shocking and unacceptable delays for children - often waiting for many years of their childhood for help ⬇️.
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The four UK Children’s Commissioners have written to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation about the prioritisation of teachers and other key workers.
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By failing to provide timely support for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, we're robbing them of their childhoods and potential, while wasting millions on tribunals where families win nearly every time.
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Today @annelongfield gives her last speech as Children’s Commissioner for England. Here’s a preview:
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Generation of poor kids may 'drop from view' for entire lives due to coronavirus
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Over the past 3 years, I've heard from 1m children about their dreams and challenges. Now, with a new government, I've launched #100Voices to share their thoughts on issues impacting their lives. Children's voices must be at the heart of policy making.
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Great to see the Duchess of Cambridge launch a centre for childhood. We met with the Royal Foundation to discuss these plans recently. Boosting support and help for families and children in the early years is vital.
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I’ve long been concerned by the number of children who die in England who were known to social services. Children once known to social care whose cases were closed were 6x more likely than others to die due to abuse, neglect or deliberate injuries. 1/2
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Are you a child in care or someone with experience of the care system? If so, the Children’s Commissioner wants to hear your views on whether ‘care experience’ should be made a protected characteristic. Complete the survey here: .
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We need a joined up public health response to gangs - our report out today: . via @ChildrensComm.
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Thank you from all the CCO team to our outgoing Children’s Commissioner for England @annelongfield, whose six year term ends today. Good luck with the next chapter Anne.
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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Anne is on @BBCr4today to discuss closure of Children’s Centres and why she thinks it’s a false saving and bad for not just children but wider society.
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An estimated 400,000 children in England are seeking health services support for suspected neurodevelopmental conditions, with thousands waiting more than 2 years for first appointments. Find out more in my latest report sharing previously unpublished data
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Over half a million children in England responded to #thebigask survey, the largest ever survey of children, and we have listened. The Big Answer shares children’s responses and what can be done to answer them
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The impact on children living in households with domestic abuse, parental substance misuse and mental health issues is highlighted in our latest Voices of Children report
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We need to tackle the root causes of why children self-harm, as well as provide better support #SHAD16
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I want the Government to think again and draw up new guidelines, quickly, that enable children's sports clubs to continue
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Tens of thousands of children are educated outside mainstream or special schools, with many being effectively ‘hidden’ away in settings where little is known about how well their needs are being met
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“We had students stuck in houses with domestic violence going on. Students with parents with alcohol issues. Students who were scared of parents who have been reported for abuse in the past. Their world retreated to the insides of their bedroom.”
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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While Westminster suffocates under Brexit, the oxygen is also being sucked from some of the most vital issues - such as how we improve the lives of children living in destitution. @annelongfield writes for today’s @thetimes.
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The theme of year's #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek is 'My Voice Matters', and it couldn't be more pertinent. Children don’t feel their voices are heard and taken into account and we must change that especially when it comes to mental health and well-being.
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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Tens of thousands of children are educated outside mainstream or special schools, with many being effectively ‘hidden’ away in settings where little is known about how well their needs are being met
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Great to see our long held view that children’s mental health services are in need of a significant boost is shared by the chief exec of the NHS. Absolutely right that this should be a top priority.
Children's mental health services need 'major ramp up' says Simon Stevens, chief exec of NHS England:
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Heartbreaking new footage of abuse at Whitefield School has surfaced. No child should ever endure such treatment. Since the allegations first came to light, I have pushed for a formal review of the circumstances to be carried out. Read my full statement
Pushed, pinned to walls and left sitting in vomit in a padded room - BBC obtains CCTV showing abuse of autistic pupils at a school
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Everyone recognises the necessity of reopening schools as soon as possible, but hope alone will not make it happen. We have some suggestions.
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Too many families have told me they have lost confidence in the current SEND system. We need bold leadership to join up education, health, and care services for better planning and early intervention, so fewer children reach crisis point.
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Andrew Selous MP asks a key question: when children make up 20% of the population why do they get 6% of the spending of treatment of mental health across the population.
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Our analysis shows children in some parts of England have spent just 60 days in school in nearly a year.
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We've briefed MPs on the state of mental health treatment for children.The NHS response was unhelpful. We've replied
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I am excited to launch applications for my Ambassadors Programme, a voluntary opportunity for young people aged 16 and 17 to amplify the voices of children in England and to join me to champion their solutions in front of changemakers and policymakers:
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Children’s Commissioner @annelongfield calls on politicians to take child poverty out of the ‘too difficult box’ and come up with a big, bold plan to fix it
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The one word that always comes up in conversations we have with children in care is “stability”. Children in care tell us that they want consistent, high-quality relationships that provide security and support #StabilityIndex2018
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I am heartbroken by the details shared in court today which showed the torture & abuse Sara Sharif endured during her short life by her father & step mother. I am deeply concerned that her father thought this amounted to legal punishment. Read more:
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I’m appalled by the reports of children being bullied, mocked and put in a headlock at Life Wirral. No child should be treated so cruelly by any adult, and the footage captured in the BBC’s Panorama investigation is shocking to watch. 1/3.
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Yesterday, my report revealed an estimated 400,000 children in England are seeking support for suspected neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, and cerebral palsy. Today, I’m sharing their voices on the challenges they face accessing support. #TheBigConversation
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“This dramatic increase in the number of children struggling with mental health problems, worsened by the Covid crisis, is extremely alarming. It should shock the Government into immediate action to tackle a growing epidemic." via @ChildrensComm.
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I am today publishing a new report examining children's exposure to pornography & the impact it has on their self-esteem, body image, & relationships. New analysis of survey data has found that the average age a child first watches pornography is 13.
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I am concerned by new data from @educationgovuk which shows that nearly 1.2 million children in England have SEN support without an EHCP – up 4.7% from 2022. We need urgent reform of the SEND system to improve the life chances of England’s children.
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“The Government’s ban on unregulated provision for under-16s in care is very welcome, but needs to go further and include all under-18s. There are too many teenage children in care living in completely unsuitable and sometimes dangerous accommodation.
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This year we will continue to put children's resilience and vulnerable young people at the heart of our work, with particular focus on #vulnerable groups, healthy online lives, children in care and more
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The one word that always comes up in conversations we have with children in care is “stability”. Children in care tell us that they want consistent, high-quality relationships that provide security and support #StabilityIndex2018
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Today we welcome @Rachel_deSouza on her first day as Children’s Commissioner for England. Read what she has to say about stepping into the role in her first blog
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I want to ensure every disabled child, child with special educational needs & neurodiverse child receives excellent, joined up healthcare, social care & education. I have found children are waiting too long, unsupported, for diagnosis: #TheBigConversation
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I am deeply concerned by the number of children experiencing mental health issues in the UK, which is exacerbated by long waiting times and lack of services. We must focus on prevention and early intervention. Read about what I think needs to change: .
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This #UniversalChildrensDay let’s acknowledge the rights children have in law and work together to protect the most vulnerable in our society. You can read more about @annelongfield’s recent research into the scale of #vulnerability in England here:
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We've written to leaders of all Councils that run children's services to ask them to follow the 19 who exempt care leavers from council tax.
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The one word that always comes up in conversations we have with children in care is “stability”. Children in care tell us that they want consistent, high-quality relationships that provide security and support #StabilityIndex2018
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Never underestimate the power, any and every adult has, to make a child’s life brilliant and better.
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In order to improve children’s mental health, we also need to think about promoting well-being & preventing poor mental health from ever developing. And to do that means thinking about the family.
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As we welcome a new government, and the chance to put children's voices at the heart of every decision, I am launching #100Voices - which will hear from children on issues which are important them, to make sure their voices are heard in these first vital days.
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Children must not pay the price for balancing budgets, and councils must ensure that essential services are not sacrificed. We need a fair system that ensures children can can have all the opportunities they deserve to lead happy, successful lives.
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Today I am publishing new research which shows that the vast majority of children in care are not getting access to the advocacy they're entitled to. This is unacceptable - every child should feel that their voice is being heard.
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Are you ever baffled by legal documents? Imagine being a child! That’s why we simplified terms and conditions for five of the most popular social media apps #growingupdigital
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Today we are launching a new report into the impact social media has on children aged 8 to 12. @annelongfield will be speaking to @GMB, @bbc5live, @BBCBreakfast and @SkyNews this morning about our findings.
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Earlier this year we published work with @TheIFS looking into spending on children. We found that more and more spending goes on children in crisis, while less is spent on prevention. This system is becoming unsustainable.
Revealed: cash crisis pushing child services to tipping point
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Analysis from the Commissioner reveals the true scale of #vulnerability among children in England, including 800,000 children suffering from mental health difficulties and tens of thousands of children involved with gangs
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Really pleased to have a page linking to @lemnsissay powerful C4 documentary about Children in Care and some of his poems on our new site IMO dedicated to them
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Child victims of grooming gangs must be heard and protected. For years I have worked closely with survivors to tackle this horrific issue. Today's Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill offers a real chance for change. We must grasp this or we continue to fail children.
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Just out: #lifeinlikes, a new report from Children’s Commissioner @annelongfield uncovering the effects of social media use among 8-12-year-olds
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More warnings that some councils are preparing to cut children's services, early years and youth clubs. See our recent work with the IFS on how we're spending more on a small number of children in crisis, rather than spending on measures that can prevent these crises happening.
'£1bn in council cuts ahead in England' @BBCNews . Cuts in funding make it even harder to provide quality services for young people who need it most. That's why we are committed to working with our members to diversify sector funding and strengthen quality
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Schools must stay open for vulnerable children and we must ensure they show up.
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Until now, we have known far too little about children on child in need plans. My new report published today has revealed the huge regional variation in support from children’s social services for some of England’s most vulnerable children.
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🧵Nearly one million children were referred for specialist mental health treatment in 2022-23 – that’s 1 in 10 of the child population in England. This is a crisis & children are being treated as second class citizens when it comes to mental health .1/5.
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We agree with the Health and Education Select Committee’s warning that the Government’s plans for children’s mental health are not ambitious enough. Read @annelongfield’s response below.
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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The one word that always comes up in conversations we have with children in care is “stability”. Children in care tell us that they want consistent, high-quality relationships that provide security and support #StabilityIndex2018
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Tens of thousands of children are educated outside mainstream or special schools, with many being effectively ‘hidden’ away in settings where little is known about how well their needs are being met
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Shockingly, data obtained using my statutory powers & published today shows that nearly 6,500 16-17 year olds were homeless last year. This is not acceptable. Children are children until they are 18 and deserve to have a safe & stable home.
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Ahead of the election, I've created a resource for children explaining the election process, what happens after, and what MPs do. I’m passionate about ensuring young people’s voices are heard, even if they can't vote. Download yours here⤵️.
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Lifting children out of poverty and eliminating child hunger is a moral imperative
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Jeremy Hunt gave a speech today, we were hoping to hear something on children's mental health. We didn't. We'll be focusing on it a lot soon.
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When it comes to the provision of mental health treatment for children, just remember that over 90% of spending goes on adults, yet children make up 20% of the population
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Following yesterday’s alarming figures on self-harm, @annelongfield has written in today’s Times about the urgent need to tackle the crisis in children’s mental health - including a CAMHS professional in every school.
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It’s still taking far too long for children to get EHCPs. We need radical reform of the SEND system, so it is as ambitious for children as they are for themselves.
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Building back better: Reaching England’s left behind children - @annelongfield’s speech today.
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We’re prioritising children's resilience and vulnerable young people in our programme of work for 2017/18
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Child Q was not an isolated incident. The Children's Commissioner today publishes figures obtained from the Met Police that suggest in almost a quarter of strip searches of children no 'appropriate adult' was present, in breach of their own guidelines.
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UK doctors flag mental pressures pandemic puts on young people
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It’s time for radical ‘Scandinavian-style’ reforms to the youth justice system . our report published today.
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We've put together a list of some of the many fantastic services and organisations providing support for isolated care leavers over Christmas. Follow the link below to find out how to donate. Wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas!
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