Coram Voice / Rees Centre Oxford / Hadley Trust / Research in Practice · 2022
Drawing on over 10,000 survey responses collected between 2015 and 2021 from children in care aged 4–18, this report explores their subjective well-being across key indicators including safety, relationships, school, and involvement in decisions. Around a third of young people reported very high well-being, while roughly one in six (aged 11–18) showed low well-being. Key findings show that trusting relationships with carers and social workers, feeling safe and settled, and liking school were central to well-being, while girls, those in residential care, and older young people faced particular challenges. The report calls on local authorities to systematically listen to children in care and co-produce service improvements with them.