Support Failing Vulnerable Young People

MPs have said that many young people are “cut adrift when they need help most”.

The Public Accounts Committee says there has been a ‘systematic failing’ in the accessible support to youths leaving foster care. Chair Meg Hiller MP claimed young adults are “let down by the system that’s supposed to support them”.

The government have claimed they are committed to improving the lives of those leaving care, while the committee found outcomes for the 10,000 young people aged 16 or over who leave care each year are ‘poor and worsening’.

Some 41% of those who left care at age 19 were not in education, employment or training in 2014.

Town hall bosses said 40% cuts to their budgets meant providing care leavers with adequate support was “becoming an increasing challenge” which councils could not handle alone.

“We urgently need to see the whole system properly funded and joined up to ensure children and young people receive the support they need, when they need it,” said Roy Perry, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People’s Board.

The Department for Education said its reforms would help care leavers make a successful transition to adulthood.

These include giving every care leaver a personal adviser and allowing young people to continue to live with their foster families after 18, though councils complain funding for the latter is ‘significantly’ underestimated.

“We want to go further, which is why we’ve committed to update the cross-government Care Leavers Strategy to improve support for these young people,” said the spokesman.