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Care leavers missing out on home 'essentials', research finds

1 min read Social Care
Care leavers in England are at risk of missing out on essential items when setting up their first home due to the lack of clear national guidelines on the levels of support offered by councils, latest research shows.
On average, children’s homes have four places. Picture: Geerte/Adobe Stock
One in 10 councils failed to provide the minimum allowance to help care leavers set up home. Picture: AdobeStock

All local authorities are required to help care leavers with the cost of setting up their new home through the Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA). In April 2023, the previous government raised the minimum amount for this from £2,000 to £3,000.

However, responses to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent by Coram Voice to all 153 local authorities in England found that care leavers are receiving vastly different levels of support across the county.

One in 10 authorities that responded to the FOI are not paying the full £3,000, and there is significant disparity in the amount care leavers received - some councils pay £1,500 while others pay nearly £3,500.

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