CYP Now - NCB Now: Comment - Young people leaving care deserve better

Next week, National Care Leavers' Week gives us a rare opportunity to put the spotlight on young people leaving care and the obstacles they face. Care leavers are expected to live independently at a far younger age than their peers, taking responsibility for their own accommodation, education, employment and finances. Moving on can be a frightening experience - and by definition looked-after young people are often the least well equipped to deal with such challenges.

Happily, the picture is improving, with substantial progress since theintroduction of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. NCB's evaluationof the implementation of the Act in eight London boroughs found localauthorities had more young person-centred services, with better systemsto assess their needs and help them plan for the future.

However, a landmark ruling by the High Court earlier this year showedthere is still a long way to go. The Caerphilly judgment found seriousfailings on the part of the local authority to provide suitableassessment, planning and support for a very vulnerable young person inits care, most notably in failing to help him find suitableaccommodation. This occurred despite the regulations that all localauthorities are now obliged to adhere to.

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