Corporate Parenting and the Criminal Justice System

Although being 'looked after' by the state represents a positive alternative to an abusive family setting, the inherent risks posed by the public care system should be properly acknowledged. The poor outcomes for care leavers in such areas as education, employment, accommodation and health are well documented. The over-representation in the criminal justice system of young people with a public care background is also evidenced clearly. Whilst part of the explanation for these poor outcomes can be attributed to the cumulative impact of abuse and neglect in the family of origin, the influence of corporate parenting on the development of criminal careers requires closer inspection. This paper undertakes a risk analysis of certain aspects of practice within the UK's care system, particularly in relation to such areas as residential accommodation, report writing and the support of young people's transition to independent living. The analysis is based primarily on completed qualitative research on the trajectories of 30 young people with experience of the public care and criminal justice systems. It will, moreover, draw on ongoing research with a cohort of care leavers known to the youth justice and probation services.