Care Leavers Face “Double Trauma” as “Care Cliff” Exposes Critical Support Gaps, New Report Finds
A new report by the children’s charity Become has revealed the devastating impact of the “care cliff” on young people leaving care in England. The report, titled “End The Care Cliff: Support Every Step of The Way,” highlights a range of critical issues, including homelessness, inadequate housing, and insufficient mental health support.
Based on interviews with care-experienced young people, analysis of government data, and Freedom of Information requests, the report paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by young people transitioning out of the care system.
Key findings include:
- Soaring homelessness rates: Young care leavers are nine times more likely to experience homelessness than their peers.
- Forced independence: Many young people are forced to leave care before they are ready, often facing unsuitable and unsafe living conditions.
- Inadequate support: The report highlights significant gaps in support, with many young people feeling abandoned and unsupported after leaving care.
- Limited access to essential services: Barriers such as mental health challenges and transportation issues hinder access to vital services, further isolating care leavers.
The report emphasises the importance of the Staying Put and Staying Close schemes, which allow young people to continue living with their foster carers or remain connected to their children’s home after leaving care. However, these schemes are not available to all young people, and their implementation varies significantly across the country.
“This report highlights the urgent need for systemic change within the care system,” said Matt Blow, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Become. “We must ensure that all care leavers have the support they need to thrive, including access to safe and affordable housing, adequate mental health support, and ongoing guidance as they navigate adulthood.”
The report offers several key recommendations, including:
- Extending support beyond 21: Making Staying Put and Staying Close schemes legal entitlements for all eligible young people.
- Improving access to safe and affordable housing: Removing the local area connection test for care leavers and providing dedicated tenancy deposit and rent guarantor schemes.
- Strengthening the role of Personal Advisers: Providing comprehensive training and support to equip Personal Advisers with the necessary skills to effectively support care leavers in their housing journeys.
The “End The Care Cliff” report serves as a powerful call to action, urging policymakers and practitioners to address the urgent needs of care leavers and ensure that they have the support they need to build successful and fulfilling lives.
For further information, please refer to the full report: https://becomecharity.org.uk/content/uploads/2024/10/End-The-Care-Cliff-Support-Every-Step-of-The-Way-Report-2024.pdf