The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children says abuse in the care system has not disappeared.
Last year the society’s 11 investigation units uncovered evidence of abuse in relation to 138 care- workers, 50 of whom had been charged with cruelty and sex offences.
The figurs come after calls for a children’s commissioner with powers to investigate allegations of abuse in homes and complaints about punishments in schools. The long-awaited Waterhouse report on abuse in North Wales children’s homes, due later this month, is expected to make this recommendation.