Call for better access to physical activity for care-experienced children

A new report urges government to prioritise support for the more than 83,000 children in care and 50,000 care leavers aged 17–21 in England in its forthcoming physical activity strategy.

Launched earlier this month at the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Conference in Bradford, the report was commissioned by the LGA, written by Coram and Stormbreak, and co-produced with 55 care-experienced young people. It highlights both the benefits of movement for wellbeing and the systemic barriers that limit opportunities for this group.

The LGA is now calling on Sport England, the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to expand their data collections to track the physical activity levels and experiences of care-experienced children and young people. Councils are also urging ministers to fund further research to strengthen the evidence base and help local authorities design more effective, trauma-informed interventions.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Committee, said: “It is vital that care-experienced children and young people have access to opportunities for physical activity.”

“Sadly, they are often a hidden group that is overlooked. This is why we are urging the Government to ensure care-experienced children and young people are a part of its forthcoming physical activity strategy, so we can better support their needs to help them develop and flourish in life.”

The report also includes examples of good practice, underlining how physical activity can support both emotional wellbeing and stronger relationships with peers and trusted adults.

Emma Dowinton, social worker and manager of the Together Programme at Stormbreak, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which aims to improve children’s mental health through movement, equipping them with sustainable, transferable skills and coping strategies to thrive during the complex demands of growth into adult life.

“Prioritising movement in the lives of young people with care experience is vital, as it supports their emotional wellbeing, strengthens physical health, and creates meaningful opportunities to build and deepen connections,” Emma says.

Dr Katharine Stockland, Research Manager at Coram, added that their research shows it is particularly important that care-experienced children and young people have the freedom to choose the activities that are best suited to them, and that these activities are trauma-informed.

“While this report highlights many existing examples of best practice, there is still more to do, particularly in terms of increasing national data collection and in-depth research.”

The LGA says recognising and meeting the physical activity needs of care-experienced young people is part of councils’ corporate parenting responsibilities and should be central to government strategy.