The finding is the result of a study of children's views of being in care, with 76 per cent saying they have been separated from their brothers and sisters when placed in care.
Over a thousand children took part in the study, which gave a very mixed picture of their experiences.
Over nine out of ten children said they feel safe in the home they live in and 90 per cent thought their care was good. However, concerns have been raised over the separations and reports of bullying.
The report, Children's care monitor 2009, produced by the children's rights director for England, Dr Roger Morgan, is the second annual survey of its kind, taking first-hand account children's experiences in care or otherwise living away from home.
Dr Morgan said: 'In order to improve the experiences of children in care or living away from home, it is essential that we get their views first hand. That is why this annual monitoring is so important.
'This year's figures are close to last year's, which is reassuring as it indicates things have remained stable. However, I am concerned that it also demonstrates that we still need to sort out the same issues for children.'
When feeling unsafe, the most likely people a child would go to for help were their friends, with 62 per cent of children going to friends for help. The police were listed as second most likely to be contacted, then foster carers and fourthly teachers.
'It is important that children are listing friends as the main person they would go to if they feel unsafe. We need to recognise the burden often carried by friends, and to make sure that they know where to turn for information and support, and when they should pass concerns on,' Dr Morgan added.
Although more children in care or living away from home are reporting that they have never been bullied, up from 39 per cent to 45 per cent this year, one in five children in care continue to be bullied simply for being in care. Girls were more likely than boys to be bullied for being in care and 19 per cent of care leavers were also bullied because they used to be in care.
Over a thousand children took part in the study, which gave a very mixed picture of their experiences.
Over nine out of ten children said they feel safe in the home they live in and 90 per cent thought their care was good. However, concerns have been raised over the separations and reports of bullying.
The report, Children's care monitor 2009, produced by the children's rights director for England, Dr Roger Morgan, is the second annual survey of its kind, taking first-hand account children's experiences in care or otherwise living away from home.
Dr Morgan said: 'In order to improve the experiences of children in care or living away from home, it is essential that we get their views first hand. That is why this annual monitoring is so important.
'This year's figures are close to last year's, which is reassuring as it indicates things have remained stable. However, I am concerned that it also demonstrates that we still need to sort out the same issues for children.'
When feeling unsafe, the most likely people a child would go to for help were their friends, with 62 per cent of children going to friends for help. The police were listed as second most likely to be contacted, then foster carers and fourthly teachers.
'It is important that children are listing friends as the main person they would go to if they feel unsafe. We need to recognise the burden often carried by friends, and to make sure that they know where to turn for information and support, and when they should pass concerns on,' Dr Morgan added.
Although more children in care or living away from home are reporting that they have never been bullied, up from 39 per cent to 45 per cent this year, one in five children in care continue to be bullied simply for being in care. Girls were more likely than boys to be bullied for being in care and 19 per cent of care leavers were also bullied because they used to be in care.
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