Number of missing vulnerable children soars as safeguarding is cut during pandemic

Government move to reduce protection sees unaccompanied youngsters targeted by traffickers and criminals

Trafficked and unaccompanied children are going missing in “significant” numbers from the UK’s care system following a government move to dramatically reduce protection for youngsters, the Observer can reveal. 

Three charities have documented an “alarming” series of cases since the beginning of lockdown and following legislation introduced in April that stripped most legal safeguards for vulnerable children during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Related: Ministers are using coronavirus as an excuse to erode child protection | Carolyne Willow

The young people we've identified have only come to light because charities like ours are plugging gaps in support.

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2MwjGKG