Care leaver entitlements to be set out in law

Announcing the move alongside plans to legislate to increase numbers of adoptions taking place, Cameron said provision for young people leaving care must improve.

He said government will introduce the first care-leavers’ covenant, in the form of a promise, set out in law, to everyone who has been through the care system.

The covenant will be designed to ensure that local authorities set out clearly what care leavers are entitled to locally — including housing, jobs and healthcare.

Meanwhile, mentors will be provided for every care-leaver up to the age 25 to provide continuing emotional support and the practical help with things such as putting together a CV or managing money.

In addition, funding for apprenticeship training to 25 will be extended for care-leavers, and the Arts Council will to develop a new programme so that those in care “can have the same life-enriching and horizon-broadening experiences that are the norm for so many of their peers”.

“[Improving support for care leavers] is not just a job for government,” Cameron wrote in the Sunday Times.

“It alone cannot solve the social problems we face. These are not someone else’s children; they are all of ours — so every part of society should be stepping up to help care-leavers get a shot at building a decent life.

Andy Elvin, chief executive of The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (Tact), said proposals to improve support for children in care and better support when leaving care are welcome.

“The government could act now to end the unfair and discriminatory practice of forcing children in foster care to claim housing benefit to stay in their homes post 18,” he added.  
 
“Tact also calls on the government to offer free university tuition to all care leavers and a guaranteed apprenticeship for all care` leavers. The government must also make sure that all children in residential care can stay until 21.”