Our campaign: #EndTheCareCliff
We want to permanently #EndTheCareCliff and the expectation of ‘independence’ asked of young people as they approach 18.
We are calling on the Government to #EndTheCareCliff.
What’s the problem?
Too many young people are expected to leave care before they feel ready, falling at a time in their life when they need stability the most. Young care leavers that Become supports have described that time as a “cliff edge” or “like being on death row, counting down the days” until their 18th birthday when their placements are abruptly stopped, and they are expected to become ‘independent’ overnight – often without the support that every young person needs to thrive.
Why is this important?
More and more teenagers are being failed each year by the system’s ‘fixation on independence’ and without the support they need to prepare for adulthood. This can lead to young people leaving care being at a greater risk of poverty, mental ill health and homelessness. Our young people deserve much better.
What needs to change?
As the Government considers its response to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, we are calling on the Government to #EndTheCareCliff by ensuring that no young person should have to leave care before they’re ready and ensuring that all young care leavers are provided with the support they need to be happy, healthy and fulfil their potential.
What do we want from the Government?
- Extend the Staying Put and Staying Close schemes for all care-experienced young people up to 25, and ensure the schemes are fully funded.
- Provide an enhanced offer of support for all young people leaving care, which includes targeted support across health, education, employment, housing, relationships, and financial support.
- Create legislation to share corporate parenting responsibilities across a wide range of public bodies and authorities, following consultation with care-experienced young people.
For some young people, the care cliff sadly starts earlier at age 16 or 17 when they move into ‘supported accommodation’. We believe every child in care deserves care. That’s why we support #KeepCaringTo18 and #EndTheCareCliff.
45,940
care leavers aged 17-21 in England (this number is increasing every year).
19%
of all care leavers aged 18 continued to live with their foster carers in 2022 (this drops significantly by age 20).
38%
of care leavers aged 19-21 were not in education, employment or training (aka NEET) in 2022, compared to 11% of all young people aged 19-21.
There shouldn’t be an overnight switch in how you’re treated by the system, who supports you, and where you live.
⎯⎯ Our Sky's the Limit Young Design Group
We don’t want little changes to the current system – we want a new system altogether that replaces what we currently know as ‘leaving care’.
⎯⎯ Our Sky's the Limit Young Design Group
Get involved to End The Care Cliff
We often have exciting opportunities focused on changing the system which care-experienced young people can get involved with. Sign up to join the movement below.