Black children make up nearly a third of children in care in Newham, significantly more than their share of the borough’s child population, annual reports have revealed.
Children from Black or Black British backgrounds account for 31.5% of children in care, the largest proportion of any group, the Education, Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee heard. This is a significant overrepresentation compared with their proportion in the wider child population of Newham.
The findings were presented in the Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report for 2025/26 and the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025/2026. Both reports highlighted the ongoing work to address inequalities and disproportionality within the safeguarding and care systems.
The Corporate Parenting Annual Report also noted that Black or Black British young people are the largest group among care leavers, making up 36%. It also showed that more boys than girls are in care, and that a significant proportion of children in care are placed out of borough.
The disproportionality of Black children in care is being addressed through Newham's multi-agency Tackling Racism, Inequality and Disproportionality (TRID) programme. This initiative involves self-assessment, data analysis, and the development of an action plan. Efforts are underway to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion in governance and practice, and to use data to better understand the root causes of disproportionality. Workforce development is also a key focus, aiming to strengthen anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. The Youth Safety Strategy Group is monitoring the progress of these initiatives.
The reasons for this disproportionality are complex and are being analysed. Socio-economic factors, family support needs, safeguarding concerns, and pathways into care are all areas requiring further investigation. Systemic and structural racism, alongside poverty, are also recognised as contributing factors. The 'It's Silent: Race, racism and safeguarding children' report published by the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel provides further context on these issues.
Long-term outcomes for Black children who have been in the care system are also a concern. Black children and those from the Global Majority, particularly Black boys, are more likely to experience child criminal exploitation and serious youth violence. They are also more likely to be stopped and searched by the police, receive custodial sentences, and be remanded in custody. Furthermore, Black children are less likely to be in long-term foster placements and wait longer to be adopted.
Newham's Leaving Care Service is providing strengthened support for care-experienced young people. The Local Offer for Care Leavers has been updated and relaunched, offering comprehensive information on entitlements, services, and opportunities. A mental health nurse is embedded within the Leaving Care service, and all children referred to the nurse receive onward referrals.
While a specific breakdown of reasons for Black children entering care is not yet available, an analysis of socioeconomic factors, family support needs, safeguarding concerns, and pathways into care is recommended to further understand the overrepresentation.
