CYP Now - Care leavers at risk of 'digital isolation' as Covid-19 restrictions tighten

Thousands of care leavers left without access to the internet during lockdown missed out on education, training and work, a coalition of charities has found.

Many care leavers have been left without access to a laptop and the internet. Picture: Adobe Stock

Leading charities and youth organisations supporting care leavers aged 18 to 25 in England have written to ministers warning that thousands of young people risk becoming “digitally isolated” as cases of Covid-19 increase.

During the height of the pandemic in April, the government announced a package of support for care leavers including access to free laptops and wifi.

However, the coalition warns that many of the 80,000 care leavers in England are still without access to technology while the scheme comes to an end in November.

In the letter, organisations including Catch22, National House Project, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, Family Rights Group, Children’s Rights Alliance England, Esmée Fairbairn, Coram Voice, Care Leaver’s Covenant as well leading apprenticeship provider WhiteHat have come together to call on the government to:

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