The report, Sweet 16, highlights a gap between policy and practice, with many councils and social workers encouraging children to leave care at 16 despite being entitled to care until 18. Out of last year's 1,330 care leavers, half were 16, the report found. Aftercare was also lacking, with bed and breakfast and homeless accommodation routinely used. One care leaver ended up sharing accommodation with a convicted murderer.
Marshall said a ban on bed and breakfast and homeless hostel accommodation for care leavers was needed.
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