Children play truant less after moving in to Bradford care homes, Council officers say.

A new survey of 'Looked After' young people living in Council-run residential homes shows the experience is beneficial.

The report, giving a 'snapshot' of the current situation in the city's five care homes, says 72 per cent of children entering care have a bad record of truancy but "nearly all" residents show a marked improvement afterwards.

The report aims to scotch myths about children in care. It points out there is no evidence that moving into a children's home makes youngsters more likely to experiment with drugs.

Richard Bates, divisional manager for provider services at Bradford Council, said the report was drawn up in response to complaints from neighbours of one of the five children's homes at Woodroyd Terrace in West Bowling.

Neighbours complained to the Telegraph & Argus that noise, disturbance and petty crime from the residents of the home ruined their peace and quiet.

Mr Bates said most care-home residents were over the age of seven and had spent their "formative years" with their own families - often unhappily.

At least half had come into care as a result of neglect while 20 per cent suffered physical abuse and 11 per cent sexual abuse. Only a handful are in care because of their own difficult behaviour.

Care-home staff report that after coming into care children play truant less and the result is full attendance at school for many.

Children's behaviour also improved with them taking more pride in their appearance, improving their personal hygiene, developing more awareness of the impact of their behaviour on others, becoming more talkative and developing better social skills.

They also report some negative changes including increased use of foul language, vandalism of care homes and some sexualised behaviour.

Mr Bates said: "The children's lives become more ordered, they get more self confidence, and 82 per cent get involved in non-school activities for the first time."

He said the benefits were most marked at children's homes with a settled population. The Woodroyd home tends to have children who are very new to the care system, according to the report.