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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Patrick Butler Social policy editor

Children in care who lash out may no longer face automatic arrest under UK review

An adult rests a comforting hand on a teenager's left
Children in care are 10 times as likely to receive a caution or conviction than those not in care. Photograph: SDI Productions/Getty Images

Vulnerable young people in care who assault staff or damage property will not automatically be arrested by police or charged, under proposals intended to reduce the excessive criminalisation of looked-after children.

A government review will examine how children in state care who exhibit challenging behaviour can be offered targeted support such as trauma counselling rather than being punished through the criminal justice system.

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