Four key leaving care challenges

It can be difficult to fully understand the complexities in the legislation and guidance related to care leavers. The intricacy of the leaving care legislation disengages professionals, who do not fully understand it – and therefore do not implement the support that care leavers should be receiving.

The current leaving care system consists of four different categories of care leavers – eligible children, relevant children, qualifying children and former relevant children – each with different entitlements, depending on their age and how long they were in care.

The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 clearly focuses attention on the individual needs of each young person who has been in the care of the state. It was recognised that this tailored approach was key to bridging the gap in outcomes, when comparing the leaving care population to their peers. Yet, 20 years on and advocates still have to argue for some basic support that is not led by the individual needs of the child, but by a cumbersome system that remains inflexible and resource led.