At Banya, we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of all children — especially those in care. That’s why we’re proud that our Managing Director, Chido Poe, recently spoke to the Yorkshire Post about a serious issue: the way the country is responding to the grooming gang scandals.
A new report by Baroness Casey has revealed some truly upsetting facts. Children — some as young as 10, and many living in care — were targeted by grooming gangs and abused over many years. Even worse, the report found that many of the organisations that were supposed to protect these children either ignored the warning signs or didn’t take them seriously.
It’s heartbreaking. And it’s something we cannot stay silent about.
What’s the Real Issue?
While the Government is now planning action — including a national inquiry — much of the media attention has focused on the ethnicity of the people involved in these crimes. But as Chido Poe said in her interview, that’s the wrong place to focus.
She explained that instead of arguing about background or race, we should be talking about the victims. Many children were dismissed, not believed, or even blamed for what happened to them. Some were called “troublesome” or “promiscuous” — when in fact, they were vulnerable children in need of help.
This is something we see far too often with children in care. People make unfair assumptions about them, and it leads to more harm. Chido called this “adultification” — when children are treated as if they’re much older, and not given the protection they need.
What Needs to Change?
Banya believes there needs to be a shift in how the country supports children in care — not just after abuse happens, but to prevent it in the first place. That means:
- Better training for police and social workers to understand the risks children in care face
- More public awareness to tackle myths and negative stereotypes about children who’ve been in care
- Real accountability for professionals and organisations who fail to act when children are at risk
As Chido said, “The current debate is more about headlines than healing.” And she’s right. If we keep focusing on the wrong things, we’re not helping victims — and we’re not protecting others from being hurt in future.
Banya’s Commitment
We work with amazing foster carers every day who show children what it means to feel safe, valued and cared for. But we know the wider system still has work to do.
We will continue speaking up for children in care — especially those who’ve been let down — and pushing for change. Every child deserves to be believed. Every child deserves to feel safe. And every child deserves a voice.
You can read the full article and Chido Poe’s interview in the Yorkshire Post here.
If you’ve ever considered fostering, now’s the time to take the first step. Learn more about becoming a foster carer.
