EXCLUSIVE by Joe Walker

More than 1,000 vulnerable children in the Canterbury district and Faversham are under the watchful eye of social services.

Figures obtained by the Gazette and Faversham News under the Freedom of Information Act show a staggering 1,404 youngsters in the area are being safeguarded by Kent County Council.

Many of them are living in homes where alcohol and drug abuse is commonplace and relationships are characterised by domestic violence.

Tragically, 68 of these vulnerable children have been under supervision for more than 10 years.

The council defines being under supervision as being “protected either from harm or the possibility of harm.”

The figures also include children who are in foster care, some who are disabled and others who need the support of social workers.

Canterbury is home to almost half of the total, with 636 vulnerable children living in the city, while 370 are from families in Herne Bay.

Whitstable, with 209, and the 189 living in Faversham complete the staggering total.

Of the youngsters, 161 are subject to child protection plans – meaning social workers have taken drastic steps to ensure their safety.

The plans are set up to address issues such as parental skills, domestic violence, mental health problems and substance misuse.

Social workers visit families regularly and reviews are held every six months to decide if the plans are working and should continue.

Children are taken off the plans when initial goals have been achieved, but social work input with the family continues for some time.

If a family has been unable to make and sustain changes needed to keep their child safe, alternative action may be taken.

In extreme cases, children are deemed at too great a risk and are taken from their parents and put into care.

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