It may seem evident, as Benjamin Zephaniah expressed, that “People will always need people / To make life appealing / And give life some meaning.” However, the care system has often failed to acknowledge that relationships are vital for human development. It is encouraging to see this essential notion highlighted in the recent announcement regarding support for care leavers in England. The severed connections that many young individuals experience are increasingly recognized as a fundamental factor contributing to their later vulnerabilities.
Some local authorities have already implemented programs aimed at assisting young people in reconnecting with family members, trusted figures like former teachers or social workers, and old friends. Recently, the government launched a national initiative resembling a Who Do You Think You Are?-style service for care leavers, with an initial funding allocation of £8.4 million. The objective is to help older teenagers rebuild these critical links, thereby reducing the likelihood of isolation and aiding them in establishing their independence. Although many care leavers do manage to transition successfully into independent living, they still face heightened risks of homelessness, mental health issues, incarceration, and even mortality.
Statistics released last month indicated that 106 young care leavers died in England in the year leading up to April, an increase from 91 the previous year. In response, government officials have commissioned a review to determine what interventions could have potentially prevented these tragedies. The requirement for formal reporting of such deaths, instituted in 2023, seems to have raised awareness regarding the severity of this issue.
Since the majority of children in care are removed from their biological parents due to neglect or abuse, it is crucial that efforts to reconnect them with family members are conducted safely and with a focus on positive outcomes. Monitoring these results will be essential. Nonetheless, the overarching goal of reestablishing connections and mitigating a young person’s feeling of disconnection from their past is commendable. This new service builds on an earlier decision this year to hold local authorities accountable for fostering relationships between siblings in care and facilitating contact with parents. Advocates like Chris and Jonny Hoyle, who sought reunion during their own experiences in foster care, have long campaigned for this change.
While relationships are vital, they cannot compensate for the numerous challenges and losses that accompany the care experience, particularly the abrupt transition many face at the age of 18, or sometimes younger. In his recent report on youth employment, Alan Milburn noted that care leavers are often “set up to fail” by a system that withdraws support just as they reach adulthood, while their peers are typically still living with their families. Alarmingly, 40% of care leavers—nearly triple the average rate—are not engaged in education, employment, or training by the age of 20.
In certain areas, practical assistance has improved, such as the new entitlement to free prescriptions and dental care up to the age of 25. However, for the prospects of this vulnerable group to improve significantly, the government must take greater responsibility for addressing the material challenges they face as they navigate early adulthood. Reconnecting with old friends offers little benefit to young people who lack stable housing, education, or job opportunities.
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