Services for children in parts of England are in a state of emergency, according to a report by Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner. The report identifies the hardest places in the country for young people to grow up, highlighting areas where individual service failures or systemic problems mean that "no child could reasonably be expected to thrive."
Key Findings
De Souza stated that during her visits to schools, youth clubs, and young offender institutions, she encountered situations that left her "utterly disgusted." She shared a poignant example from Middlesbrough, where a 14-year-old girl informed her about the crime statistics in her area.
“"Children should not have to know those statistics," De Souza remarked. "Their parents should not have to talk about them over dinner to explain why children cannot play outside."
She emphasized that schools should not have administrative staff dealing with drug overdoses or racist thugs, and that it is unacceptable for children to find entertainment in police chases.
Areas of Concern
De Souza aims to highlight regions where childhood is particularly challenging. She noted:
