Positive feedback for children’s care services in Portsmouth

Most children in care in Portsmouth say they feel safe and supported, but fewer feel involved in decisions affecting their lives than a year ago.

Portsmouth City Council recently reviewed its Feedback February 2026 survey, which gathered the views of children, young people, parents, care leavers and foster carers about the services they receive.

More than 1,250 surveys were completed, representing a 46 per cent response rate.

Some 98 per cent of children in care said they feel safe, well cared for and supported by their carers. Some 80 per cent said their social worker supports them well, while 79 per cent said their Independent Reviewing Officer listens to them.

However, only 57 per cent said they feel involved in decisions and plans about their lives, down 24 percentage points from the previous year.

Councillor Lamara Fudge asked officers why the figure had fallen. Officers said 29 per cent of respondents had selected “other” when answering the question, but added they shared the concern and would follow up with the children who responded.

Cllr Fudge also highlighted that 31 per cent of children said they do not feel supported by their school and asked what was being done to improve the situation.

Officers said many children have disengaged from education because of poor attendance or learning difficulties. They said local education support programmes are in place to help tackle the issues.

Care-experienced adults also gave largely positive feedback. Some 94 per cent said their personal adviser supports them well, 91 per cent said their health needs are being met and 86 per cent said they are involved in planning their future.

Housing remained the biggest concern. Only 68 per cent believed there are enough housing options, while 74 per cent of those living outside Portsmouth said suitable accommodation was unavailable.

Foster carers also gave broadly positive feedback, praising supervising social workers, training, activities for children and Independent Reviewing Officers. However, overall satisfaction fell in several areas compared with previous years, and the council said it will work with carers to identify improvements.

Parents were also largely positive about children’s services. Some 74 per cent rated council services as excellent or good, 82 per cent said support from their social worker was excellent or good, and 89 per cent praised social workers for listening and responding well.

However, parents were less positive about support from other agencies, particularly education and health services, and called for better communication and more joined-up working.

Cllr Nick Dorrington, cabinet member for children, families and education, said: “I don’t have any other authority to compare us by, but one thing that I notice with Portsmouth is that we’re consistently asking for feedback.

“We listen, I’ve really noticed that in the last couple of years in this role.

“We meet young children where they’re at – try and view the city and processes through their eyes so we can do the utmost to support those children.”

Senior managers have agreed a number of actions, including improving housing and education support, involving children more in care planning, working with foster carers to improve services, and strengthening child protection processes.

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