Former home and education secretary David Blunkett was told of one suchcase at an event held to promote Foster Care Fortnight. And while hepromised to intervene personally on this occasion, it would appear thatthis is not a one-off incident but symptomatic of a fundamental problemin the system.
This state of affairs will perplex many as there is legislation in placeto support these young people. However, the implementation of TheChildren (Leaving Care) Act 2000 seems to be exacerbating the problem,rather than helping local authorities to fully support these youngpeople as they make the transition from care to independence.
According to The Fostering Network, part of the problem is theincreasing pressure on UK foster care services, which simply don't havethe resources or the carers to look after young people until they'reready to live independently.
However, it also seems that local authorities are interpreting the Act'sduties in a variety of different ways and some, while sticking to theletter of the law, are not adhering to its spirit, which is to allowyoung people to stay with their carers until they're 18 if they sowish.
It is crucial that ministers such as Beverley Hughes review how this Actis playing out on the ground to ensure local authorities fulfil theirobligations. And the new under secretary of state for children andfamilies Parmjit Dhanda also needs to seize the opportunity presented bythe forthcoming looked-after children green paper to rectify thesituation (see feature, p18).
Research has shown that the care young people receive towards the end oftheir time in the looked-after system has the biggest impact on theirfuture life chances. But if all the children in the care system are tohave a brighter future, both central and local government need to ensurethat they're adequately supported when they decide to make thetransition from care to independence.
