Money's no substitute for care

In the current context, any announcement about new provision or resources has to be welcomed. But I was left feeling more than a little uneasy about the government's decision last week to make cash donations to junior ISA accounts for care leavers. And that's not because I think this group of young people don't need more help and support. On the contrary, there are still far too many examples of teenagers placed in sub-standard, unsafe accommodation, just left to cope with the bills and responsibilities that come with ‘independence' — without parents to fall back on when things go wrong.

No, my worry is that far too many of this group of young people still leave their foster carers or residential homes before they're really ready, and never having been taught the life skills they, more than most, will need to survive. I'm talking about basic cooking, budgeting, running a household — the things that we all take for granted, but which lie at the heart of everyday life. It's not just the care leavers who go on to university who need to know these things. In fact, with student services and people around to offer advice, they're often the lucky ones. I'm more concerned about the young person who's starting a job (or more likely now desperately looking for work). Who do they turn to when they can't manage?

There's no denying that money and savings can make a difference. But only if you know how to handle them. And, money should never be a substitute for having someone who cares when there's no food in your fridge, and you've nothing left to buy more.