Treat care leavers with more empathy, business and education leaders urged

The call is being made by more than 200 organisations that are signatories to the Care Leaver Covenant, a promise made by private, public or voluntary organisations to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently.

The covenant is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by social value agency Spectra.

To mark Care Leavers Week (26 October - 1 November), the organisations will urge business and education leaders to offer more opportunities to young people leaving care.

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On 29 October, the covenant is holding The Empathy Summit, where it will highlight the benefits of opportunities such as recruitment schemes tailored towards care leavers and education establishments delivering support packages including extended accommodation during holiday periods.

Universities and employers currently supporting some of the 10,000 young people who leave care in the UK each year will share examples of good practice. 

Professor Steven Spier, vice-chancellor of Kingston University, who will take part in the summit, said: “Care leavers and those who are care experienced are woefully underrepresented in higher education. However, in our experience at Kingston University, they are among the most determined and resilient students we have, and by supporting them to reach their full academic potential they will help shape society for the better.

“By embracing this diversity of experience, businesses, universities and other education providers will enrich their communities and, as we begin to recover from Covid-19, this is more important than ever.”

The DfE will also share details of increased support planned for care leavers as recent figures show around 40 per cent of care leavers aged 19-21 are not in education, employment or training (NEET) - compared with 13 per cent for this age group overall.

Some 25 per cent of the prison population have experienced time in care, government figures show.

Matthew Gordon, chief executive of Spectra, said: “Things usually taken for granted, such as a long-term permanent address or financial and emotional support from parents, are missing for these young people through no fault of their own and their absence can massively impact personal and professional development. 

“We are asking all education and business leaders to recognise they can play a role in improving prospects for care leavers by introducing packages of support which level the playing field for them and ensure they have the same opportunities as all young people so that they can lead healthy, happy and successful lives.”

For further information about The Empathy Summit or to register for free tickets, click here.