Scale of substance misuse among adolescents in care revealed

Young people in residential care need better support to overcome a range of challenges, a new study has found.

The survey conducted by Cardiff University found school students, aged 11 and 16, have the lowest mental wellbeing - with more than half saying they had experienced bullying recently.

Researchers claimed such findings, including almost three quarters of them being involved in fighting, are shown to be "associated with the risk of substance misuse".

The research showed more than a third of young people in residential care said they had been drunk in the past 30 days. Nearly a third said they had used cannabis in the past month.

A quarter said they smoke weekly, in contrast to 3% of those who live at home.

Professor Simon Murphy from the university said it shows the "disadvantages" young people in residential care face.