Young people in transition

Action for Children

•Established in 1869

•300,000 children, young people and families

•650 services across the UK:• Family support services• Fostering and adoption• Disability services• Youth services• Innovation- HMP Styal

Transition

A time of change, of opportunity and risks in all our lives

But for vulnerable young people, too often the risk outweighs the opportunity

This is demonstrated only too clearly by what young people told us in our recent work with them,

’Too Much, Too Young’

Too much, too young

• After leaving care

• Young people most at risk of homelessness

• Barriers and enablers to

building a stable home

Growing up too quickly

Most vulnerable care leavers

•1 in 3 care leavers cease to be looked after between 16 and 17

•49% young people (not looked after)living with parents at 20-24

Most ‘at risk’ of homelessness

And poor housing over their life time

•Leave care at 16 and 17 years

•Young disabled people who do not meet thresholds for support

•Mental health and emotional problems

•Behavioural problems

•Poor experience of care and trust

And those who

‘When I was 16 my dad who I had had no contact with came to get me out of care. He lived 200 miles away’ (Carl, care leaver)

The absence of good quality care arrangements will lead young people to return home to unsuitable care arrangements before and after age 18

10% of care leavers live with parents and relatives

Support available for these young people

•Can be looked after at 16/17 but many leave early•Disabled young people are entitled to assessment and support before 18 (Care Act 2014)•Health advice and services at transition•Housing and children’s services should theoretically work together to prevent homelessness •Staying put – remain in foster care until 21 but not in residential care

• Support drops away when it is still needed

‘He had a statement and went to a Special School so one minute he is seen as a child who needs additional support and then he wakes up on his 18th birthday and he is meant to perform and function as an adult’

‘There are unrealistic expectations that young people with high level of emotional and behavioural needs can function as ‘adults’’

What we found

•Gaps in early help and on-going support with mental health and emotional wellbeing

•Practical support not enough for most vulnerable young people, although good for many

•Return home not supported or properly planned for

What needs to happen

What needs to happen1. Re-think care

1. Prioritise mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Guaranteed continued access to services at 18

• Therapeutic care placements to continue into early adulthood

3. Stronger entitlement to family support

4. Must not give up

Transitions

With these changes in policy and practice, we can together make transition a time of real opportunity for vulnerable young people.