The program Zone Interdite unveils this Sunday, October 16, on M6, a new investigation into the shortcomings of social assistance for children in our country. The opportunity for the presenter of the program Ophélie Meunier to give us some shocking revelations.

[Updated September 14 at 3:31 p.m.] Nearly four years of investigation will have been necessary to prepare this new report from Zone Interdite on the child welfare service (ASE) in France. Already in 2020, M6 had broadcast a first subject devoted to homes for children with a state child protection measure. Viewers had been able to discover behind the scenes of these structures where young people are mostly left to their own devices and out of school, in a context of omnipresent violence. How then can we offer them prospects for the future equal to those of other children? This time again, the report is also edifying. Indeed , in this new issue, to find this Sunday October 16 from 9:10 p.m. on M6 , the teams of journalists specifically focused on the shortcomings of social hotels and host families. A subject that is all the more important since until recently in France, on the 300,000 children and young people who benefited from child protection follow-up according to the figures of the government, approximately 10,000 minors were placed by ASE in these hotels . A mode of accommodation judged nevertheless as 'fundamentally unsuitable', by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (Igas) in a report . Since then, the Taquet law, passed in February 2022, prohibits placements in hotels, but on the ground the reality is quite different. Many young minors still live in these accommodations. On the investigation, the host of the show Ophélie Meunier gave us some confidences , as well as on top upcoming future programs . Details.

What will we discover in this issue of Zone Interdite?

“There are three parts to discover. First, we went back to the infiltrated homes the first time to see if things had changed since our shoot. In some homes, things have evolved in the positive and in others not unfortunately. There are young people who go into crime instead of going to school and there are also big problems with prostitution among young girls. We made a focus on host families . And unfortunately, there are a number who take in children but who are not qualified to do so, which shows a real problem in recruiting these families. And finally, we became interested in social hotels and it is extremely shocking .'

What stood out to you the most in this survey?

'Social hotels! We have discovered children who are parked there for months, even years, in places that are sometimes dirty and unsanitary. Most are out of school, and in great psychological distress, while they are still only children. At their age, they shouldn't be going through this, and being in such conditions.

And the second thing that struck me was the recruitment of host families. There is such a lack, such a need today, that if you apply to be host family we can, with very few checks on your identity, potentially entrust you with children almost overnight, which is totally mind-blowing and not at all reassuring. More generally, it's a whole system that doesn't work. And we wonder, me first, why for so many years there have been so many failures and ultimately who are responsible!

Is it a subject that is close to your heart, the cause of children?

'I think obviously when you're a mum, you're all the more sensitive to childhood issues, but it's not at all a direct consequence. Before having my children, I think I'll have I was just as touched by this type of subject. Children are our future, so all issues related to children are important in my opinion.'

What is the purpose of this type of survey?

'Subjects like that, whistleblowers of a failing system, their vocation is really to move the lines. To ensure that minors supported by the ASE in our country can have the same chances as others, and can grow in good and safe environments.'

What are the future Forbidden Zone investigations?

'I can confirm that there are very large surveys that are being produced and that will be released in the coming months. For competition reasons, I cannot reveal the subjects to you. But in any case, between the end of the year and the beginning of next year, very strong societal surveys will come out, and these are once again subjects that we have been following for years.'

Zone Interdite - Foster families, social hotels: the new scandal of foster children , this Sunday, October 16 on M6 at 9:10 p.m.

Exclusive interview that cannot be resumed without mention of the Journal des FemmesSource journaldesfemmes.fr