Set income for young people leaving the care system.

Yes, it does.

Just abandoning them when they come out of care is not right at all.
However, suddenly having an unearned income could cause problems. As long as they continue to receive good support it could work out well.

Certainly something needs to be done for them. Statistics show that youngsters coming outof care tend to have worse outcomes than those with families. Kids from stable, happy families can get themselves into a mess, it seems naive to think that someone coming out of care can cope with out support - both personal and financial.

Oh, and yes, the money could make them a target for exploiters, sadly.

I would hope that their support person would help with this, but have no idea how that would work.

As I understand it, they do have support (not live-in) for a few years after leaving care.

I don't think that £1600 a month is really throwing money at them - it's a cushion which will, if they earn money on top, will allow them to set up home when they have no parents to give them old sofas or pots and pans, and to maybe set up a savings account. Alternatively, it would help them to take university courses if they were so inclined, and pay for accommodation when they are there (bearing in mind that they are unlikely to have anywhere to go in the holidays).

A flat in a sheltered housing situation wouldn't allow them to do any of that.

I think a studio flat in a building with a qualified person on site to help and support them would be a better idea than throwing money and expecting them to cope on their own.

Rather like sheltered flats or bungalows for older people - independence but support there if they need it.

Giving them a decent amount of money, even if it's just for a couple of years, might get them out of the clutches of those who might exploit them

On the other hand, they might be targets for those who will exploit them unless there is someone on site to guide them.

I think supporting them while they gain training and or qualifications would be important rather than leaving them to find their own course/ job.

That’s part of the plan for the pilot Sago as I understand it. I hope it goes and evaluates well, as this group of young people need all the help then can get.

The money is a good idea bit these young people need more support.
In my experience as a volunteer with young people in care the support tails off as they reach 18.

LtEve

Children transitioning from the care system are often targeted to sell drugs/into prostitution as they are very short of money. Excellent idea to make sure they are not quite so vulnerable.

This is what I’ve heard/read about. I feel that children that have been institutionalised from a young age should continue to be cared for until they have jobs and a home. I can’t believe that the system pretty much says to them, right, you’re on your own now..

They can remain with foster parents until they are 21 if they wish to Oopsadaisy1.

Wouldn’t it be better to keep them in the care system until they are 18? How can young people get further education if they are having to live in Hostels, it scares me to death to think of the life they are forced to live after losing their foster care at 16, when they are still children.

Brilliant idea. When you hear about something like this, you can't help but wonder why no one thought of it before.

This sounds like a brilliant scheme, well done Wales. £1600 is not a great deal of money and represents working full time at minimum wage so a great start and a great incentive.

winterwhite

Excellent idea. I wish our govt would so the same. Children in care start with very little and often have no family to fall back on. No need to begrudge them help as they find their feet.

I absolutely agree. I find it incredible (and saddening) that young people leave care so young, and are so vulnerable to exploitation. The contrast between the concern for them and the concern for students, who are often older, more likely to have had a stable background, and to have better resources behind them is stark.

Giving them a decent amount of money, even if it's just for a couple of years, might get them out of the clutches of those who might exploit them, and help them to set up home in a better area than might have been possible before. It might also help them to build up some savings towards the day when they have to be self-supporting.

Good for Wales - I'm another who would like to see the scheme brought in in the rest of the UK.

Children transitioning from the care system are often targeted to sell drugs/into prostitution as they are very short of money. Excellent idea to make sure they are not quite so vulnerable.

This is a wonderful plan for young people who have nothing much. I can't imagine how hard it is for them trying to cope without a loving family as a back up. Well done the Welsh government and I wish them a lot of luck and happiness. Great to hear something uplifting in the middle of this depressing week of news.

This thread has cheered me up

This seems a sensible amount.

There is no family support and they will need to learn how to budget and take care of themselves which will be a process.

They will need a deposit for accommodation, they will need to furnish it from scratch...

I think this is very positive

Absolutely agree winterwhite

Excellent idea. I wish our govt would so the same. Children in care start with very little and often have no family to fall back on. No need to begrudge them help as they find their feet.

I think it’s a great idea. I’ve seen people saying there are young adults from low income families that deserve that money just as much, but I think the key thing here is the lack of a family for those children in the care of the system, with no emotional support or safety net. I hope they give them budgeting/cooking lessons, and a contact person to help them transition successfully.

My DGSs friend has just come out of the Care System and has been in one of the LAs Supported Housing Units for the past 3 months he has now found an apprentership and because his income will drastically reduced any Universal Credit he may be entitled to with him getting employment his housing costs if he wants to stay in the supported housing unit will be over £200+ per week how on earth would he be able to pay this and stay in a safe enviroment we do not know.

My DD has now agreed to let him share with my DGS until he can save enough to get his own flat and teach him how to manage his own money,if he stayed in supported housing he would not be able to afford to start his apprentership so at least now he has some chance of getting a good job at the end of 3 yrs.

My daughter is in her mid 20s by the way but she accessing the same facilities sometimes as care leavers and some places just overlap.

My daughter is in care, the rent on her room is £216 a week, if that explains regarding maths on supported living accommodation. Then she pays a weekly amount towards utilities. My daughter is disabled but supported accommodation will be the same for those young people leaving care who are not disabled. It isn't a one off payment a month, the amount comes out of different budgets, so housing benefit etc. and hopefully these young people will be guided better within their lives and work and education. It is a good thing

I think almost anything to support children leaving care is a good thing, the statistics for those who have been in care make for grim reading. If this helps young people establish themselves in terms of career etc I think its worthwhile and it may actually save money, the cost to society for those who fall through the cracks is very high both financially and in other ways.