Source · Select Committees · Education Committee

Recommendation 72

72 Accepted in Part

Care leavers face poorest outcomes due to insufficient support and limited Bill measures.

Conclusion
Care leavers have some of the poorest outcomes in society across a range of measures, and the support available to them falls far short of what is needed. The state has a grave responsibility to the children it takes 93 into its care, and these outcomes are simply not good enough. We were disappointed at the limited range of measures regarding care leavers in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and urge the Department for Education to prioritise this in its work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 191)
Government Response Summary
The government will implement a national Staying Close support package through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to help care leavers with accommodation and independent living. It also notes ongoing cross-government activity to improve support for care experienced adults.
Government Response Accepted in Part
HM Government Accepted in Part
The Committee highlighted poor outcomes for care leavers. We will address the cliff-edge that young people experience when they leave care, by providing a national Staying Close support package as set out in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Staying Close will support care leavers to find and keep suitable accommodation, including an offer of practical and emotional support to enable them to live independently. There is cross government activity underway to improve support for care experienced adults.