Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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There is also a lot of bias in the placements. With regard to the incident in Cherry Orchard yesterday, I watched three foster carers. The children involved in the incident, whom we may call hooligans or low-life, are the children who will probably encounter services like those in question. There is a huge amount of unconscious bias against working-class kids and others who end up in foster care, and that comes out in the placements. I say that from 20 years' experience of working in the addiction sector and from having attended many care-plan meetings with foster children and their families. I am not speaking abstractly but from lived experience. It is important we truly acknowledge what I am saying, in addition to all the great foster care. I am not dismissing the latter, but-----