Features

Inspections Clinic: Leaving care services

Evidence from Ofsted shows support to help care leavers transition to independence is still lacking. The inspectorate tells Jo Stephenson of its plans to sharpen councils’ focus on improving provision.
Some young people likened the transition from care to independent living to being abandoned with support suddenly dropping away. Picture: Adobe Stock
Some young people likened the transition from care to independent living to being abandoned with support suddenly dropping away. Picture: Adobe Stock

Findings from Ofsted’s recently published research on the experiences of care leavers make for dispiriting reading.

Despite efforts made by many children’s services teams to ensure children in care are supported to move on and live happy, independent lives, the report shows many feel unprepared, isolated and alone.

Young people are still being given bin bags to pack their possessions in – a practice social care leaders promised to do away with more than 15 years ago.

“It is frustrating for those of us who have spent many years in children’s services, thinking we have made improvements and then not seeing them embedded and sustained,” says Ofsted’s national director for social care Yvette Stanley.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this

Hertfordshire Youth Workers

“Opportunities in districts teams and countywide”

Administration Apprentice

SE1 7JY, London (Greater)