Think-tank criticises councils over care support 'failings'

The Finding Their Feet report criticises councils for failing to properly prepare looked-after children for independent living, claiming many care leavers’ problems are the result of poor support while in care.

The CSJ also warns that not enough is being done by authorities to help support care leavers in dealing with the problems they face, namely around sexual health and parenting, mental illness, and accessing employment and training opportunities.

It found that half of looked-after children did not have a care plan, while 71 per cent (rising to 95 per cent for those in residential care) were separated from siblings, often due to lack of resources or social worker capabilities.

Older siblings can provide a “quasi-parenting role” for younger brothers or sisters when they leave care, which, it adds, is being lost as a result of separation. It says there should be a presumption for social workers to facilitate “meaningful” contact between siblings in care plans.

In the absence currently of a national initiative, it calls for authorities to develop their own versions of Staying Put arrangements for young people in residential care so that they can remain in semi-supported living until they reach 21. Staying Put currently allows fostered children only to stay in a placement until they reach 21 if they wish, although the government is considering extending it to residential care.

In addition, the report says the personal adviser system, which requires councils to appoint a lead professional to mentor the young person when they leave care is failing. It cites Department for Education figures that show a quarter of care leavers are not in contact with their adviser by the age of 21, with the average case load of an adviser being 23.

It calls for the DfE to issue new statutory guidance to enable personal advisers to be appointed from outside the local authority, with emphasis placed on those who have an “established relationship” with the young person.

Other recommendations for councils in the report include developing a career coaching service for all looked-after children, offering financial support for care leavers undertaking apprenticeships as well as those at university, and co-ordinating health services for all care leavers through the Family Nurse Partnership programme.

The report says: “Local authorities have the primary responsibility to ensure looked-after children and care leavers flourish, but councillors often have little understanding of the issues these vulnerable young people face.

“They should have the same high expectations and aspirations for these young people as they would for their own children.”

The report from the centre-right think-tank is based on evidence taken from social care academics, voluntary sector groups, care leavers, and local and national politicians.