The We Society S8 Ep5: Care or Incarceration? How some of the UK’s most vulnerable children are being failed with Lisa Harker
Jun 18, 2025
Lisa Harker, Director of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, delves into the troubling rise of Deprivation of Liberty Orders affecting vulnerable children in the UK. She highlights the dire circumstances these kids face within institutional settings and calls for urgent reforms. The conversation reveals systemic failures in child welfare, emphasizing the need for collaboration and support to improve outcomes. Harker advocates for compassionate solutions over punitive measures, urging society to take responsibility for these children's futures.
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Rise of Deprivation of Liberty Orders
- There is an alarming rise in deprivation of liberty orders on vulnerable children in England and Wales.
- These orders severely restrict children's freedom and often resemble incarceration rather than care.
Profile of Affected Children
- Vulnerable children under these orders often have complicated lives marked by abuse and neglect.
- They display distress through self-harm, suicide attempts, or exploitation by gangs or criminal rings.
Care Is Risk Management, Not Healing
- Deprivation of liberty orders manage immediate risks by guarding children but fail to provide needed care.
- Children are often placed in unsuitable settings like Airbnbs or canal boats with minimal care.