With Christmas approaching, families all over the UK are coming together. However, for many young individuals who have grown up in the care system, this festive season can be particularly challenging.
Young people who have experienced difficult circumstances find themselves navigating life independently once they reach 18. This time of year serves as a poignant reminder of the experiences they may have missed out on and the obstacles they continue to encounter.
The support system for care leavers often falls short, leading them to a higher risk of homelessness, unemployment, and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Efforts are being made to assist these young adults in overcoming the significant social challenges they face. Recognizing the need for support, Josh MacAlister, a former educator and expert in social care, has been appointed as the first Children’s Social Care Advisor within the department to shed light on this overlooked group. Implementing MacAlister’s recommendations is now underway.
The initial steps involve ensuring care leavers are registered with necessary healthcare providers like GPs and dentists, a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect that impacts their well-being. Subsequently, a comprehensive support package is being introduced to positively impact the lives of care leavers nationwide.
Starting from the end of the following year, every young person leaving care will benefit from complimentary prescriptions, dental care, and eye care until they reach 25. Additionally, a mental health pilot program is being launched to provide timely support to vulnerable children in care and their families. Efforts are also being made to remove barriers hindering employment opportunities by offering care leavers guaranteed job interviews and paid internships within the NHS.
Recognizing the necessity for early intervention, new safeguarding measures are being introduced. This includes automatically notifying GPs when their young patients are in care to ensure a collaborative approach with social workers and educators in safeguarding the well-being of these children.
These initiatives signify a commitment to providing equal opportunities and additional support for children in care. The government’s mission is to eliminate barriers to success and provide every child with a solid foundation for their future. This necessitates concrete actions rather than mere rhetoric.
An investment of £500 million in family support services is underway. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to prioritize children’s futures by revamping children’s social care, safeguarding vulnerable children from unsafe living conditions, and ensuring local authorities offer essential assistance to those transitioning out of the care system.
By age 18, care leavers have confronted more challenges than many face in a lifetime. They deserve unwavering support, commitment, and equitable opportunities to succeed. Every child in the UK deserves a chance to thrive, irrespective of their background. This government is dedicated to this mission, and these measures are crucial steps towards its realization.
Wes Streeting is the Health Secretary
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