Supporting care leavers to build a future
Despite lots of media attention around care leavers it is an uncomfortable truth that many children leaving the care system receive inadequate support. Without the network of family and friends that most 16-25 year olds take for granted, with difficult living arrangements and challenges entering the workforce many feel overwhelmed, alone and lost. This means that many care leavers remain extremely vulnerable and prey for those who would seek to exploit them for their own gain.
It is not surprising then that the outcomes for those leaving care are so different from the general population. We know from the statistics that are widely available just how wide the gap is. Across every measure from mental health, homelessness, prison population, prostitution, substance misuse and so on, care leavers are disproportionately represented.
However, with your help we can continue to provide regular and meaningful support for those leaving our care. We can continue to act as an advocate and ensure they have good quality and stable accommodation. We can support them to understand their finances and take the next step in their education or their first step into work. Most importantly, we can be there when something goes wrong to pick them up and help get their lives back on track.
This is not easy work, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and no quick fix. It takes time, dedication and the generosity of our supporters and so working together we can help vulnerable young people build a safe and secure future.