More than a quarter of care leavers are just 16, while many young people outside the care system stay at home until their mid-20s. In the face of such a stark divide, the government has acknowledged much more needs to be done to help young people in care make the difficult transition into adulthood and independence.
Last week it announced that 11 local authorities will test a policy to allow young people to stay in care longer, fleshing out proposals in the white paper Care Matters.
Janet Rich, co-ordinator of National Care Leavers Week, which takes place from 22 to 27 October, says: "The white paper contains lots of wonderful ideas, many of which those of us involved in National Care Leavers Week have long been calling for. A crucial element is the recognition that it's crazy that so many children leave care at 16."
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