Positive Thinking

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Positive Thinking: Improving outcomes for children in care

Improving outcomes for children in care

BBC Radio 4 - Positive Thinking, Improving outcomes for children in care

Is a model of children's home used in Germany and Denmark the key to improving outcomes?

Social entrepreneur Emmanuel Akpan Inwang thinks we can improve outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children by adopting a European approach to children's residential care.

Sangita Myska goes in search of the innovators with big solutions to some of our most intractable problems.

Emmanuel Akpan Inwang was teaching in a Birmingham state school when he became aware of the worrying statistics about how looked after children fare in the world. He became convinced that a model of children's home used in Germany and Denmark, with family life and education at its heart, held the key to improving things in the UK.

After years of research and fundraising his first home is opening in South London later this year and he's planning to open more. 

But has he got the right focus and is this model right for the UK?

Contributors include:

Anne Longfield, who has just completed her six year tenure as Children's Commissioner for England

Mark Kerr, CEO of The Centre for Outcomes of Care, a research charity that focuses on improving outcomes for children and families. He also oversees practice at two Children's Homes

Elaine Hamilton, Service Manager for Nether Johnstone House – a children's home in Scotland, and trustee of the Social Pedagogy Professional Association

Producer: Ellie Bury

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Big ideas that might solve some of the biggest problems facing Britain today.

Positive Thinking takes a deep dive into some of the biggest problems facing Britain today - and meets the people whose big ideas might solve them.

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