Professor to support youngsters leaving care

YOUNG people leaving care describe their experience as a ‘care-cliff ’ due to a lack of support.

The vulnerable people find themselves on the cliff-edge of support as they are suddenly thrust into independent living.

They have to manage finances, housing, shopping, cooking and other life tasks – with no one to turn to. This may have a negative impact on their lives well into adulthood.

Professor Anita Franklin from the University of Portsmouth has evaluated Hampshire’s Staying Close provision delivered by Fair Ways Foundation and Portsmouth City Council.

‘Staying Close’, a pilot scheme commissioned by the Department for Education, aims to provide a support package for young people aged 16 and over. Professor Franklin, who will be working with young people to understand their needs, said: ‘We are delighted to be undertaking this evaluation which seeks to find out what works, and does not work from the perspectives of the young people who are part of “Staying Close”.

‘Portsmouth City Council and Fair Ways Foundation have shown a commitment to learning from the views of young people, and from the support workers on the front-line of this government funded initiative in order to improve the lives of care leavers now and for their long-term futures.’ It is hoped the ‘Staying Close’ project will improve the lives of young people with better health and wellbeing, education, employment, relationships, and life skills.