"Rent in the hostel should be decreased - nearly £200 a week is disgusting," says Cheralea, 18, from Kent. Embarrassed about being on benefits, she is angry too. "I had a job, but I had to leave. You could work your arse off. And even if I earned £1,000 a month, which is not going to happen, I would be left with £50 a week (after rent). What incentive to work is that?"
Cheralea's situation is far from unique (see feature, p20). In fact, the system is trapping young people on benefits. But why, and what needs to change?
The high cost of supported accommodation is one reason. CYP Now has uncovered a wide variation in costs that appears not to mirror the level of support offered.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
