Many of England’s care leavers are trapped in cycles of inter-generational disadvantage, according to a major Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) report which calls for radical change.
Finding their Feet highlights how young people from the care system often face tougher outcomes. For example, it exclusively reveals that nearly a quarter of girls leaving care become teenage mothers – around three times the national average.
The CSJ says many local authorities are failing in their duty to support young people and build a network of positive relationships around them.
The figures on teenage parenting represent just one example of a system struggling to look after those in care.
Figures uncovered by the CSJ also revealed that thousands of vulnerable children go missing from England’s care system on a regular basis.
Local authorities in England reported 252 cases where children have gone missing from care for more than 28 days in the last year.
Those leaving the care system are now twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training (NEET) at the age of 19 than the rest of the population.
The CSJ recommends getting a network of support to young people in care, similar to a scheme developed in the United States. The US model seeks out at least 40 adults who have a connection with a young person and encourages them to increase their engagement.
It also calls for 'scorecards' to be introduced to highlight which local authorities are performing well and which need to improve.
Researchers also call on the Government to end a financial imbalance between care leavers who go to university and those who take on apprenticeships. Currently bursaries of £2,000 are given to those who go to university, but there is no central Government equivalent for apprentices. The report says this is an injustice and urges that apprentices also be given a £2,000 bursary.
Dr Samantha Callan, Associate Director for Families at the CSJ, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the report. The story was covered by the Daily Mail and The Times. The report’s author, researcher Mark Winterburn, wrote about his findings on ConservativeHome.
The CSJ has published several reports on the care system, including: Couldn't Care Less, I Never Left Care, Care Left Me and Survival of the Fittest?