Being far from my son's care home is 'devastating'

A mother has described her son being moved to a care home 90 miles (145km) away as "devastating".

Louise Johnstone's son Leo has a rare genetic condition and is being cared for in Preston, which she said is too far from their Wigton home.

According to recent figures, 55% of children looked after by Cumberland Council are placed more than 20 miles (32km) from home - the highest rate in England.

The council said it had reduced the number of young people in care and significantly improved children's services.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which now funds Leo's care, said proximity to home was one of its "main considerations" in finding care placements.

Ms Johnstone said: "It's devastating really.

"I can remember how I felt the day that he left here and went down to somewhere he'd never been before."

Leo has FOXP1 syndrome which affects the development of the brain, impairing learning and speech.

He moved to the care home in 2021 after his needs became too great for his parents to cope with at home.

He is now 18 and his care is fully funded by the NHS, but he was previously under the care of Cumbria County Council, which was disbanded in 2023 in an overhaul of local councils.

Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, who led a review of children's social care for the last government, said moving people away from their community "disadvantaged" vulnerable children.

CEO of children's charity Become, Katharine Sacks-Jones, said distant placements could be "disruptive" and "traumatising".

Cumberland Council, which was established last year, said it had improved children's services by achieving a "good" Ofsted rating.

Labour council leader Mark Fryer said: "The previous county council was either inadequate or requires improvement for almost 20 years and in 18 months we've turned that around to be rated good - a huge feat."

The council also said it planned to build new, local children's homes.