Need to survive in real life’
show that 41pc of 17-18 year old care leavers and 49pc of 19-21 year old care leavers in Greater Manchester are not in education, employment or training.
That’s much higher than the average for all young adults - across the region, just 7pc of all 16-17 year olds and 12pc of all 18-19 year olds are in this situation.
According to a report by the Alliance for Children in Care and Care Leavers, safe and suitable accommodation is the starting point for providing young people with a good transition into adulthood, good health (including mental health), gaining qualifications and moving into employment.
At least 6pc of 17-18 year old and 7pc of 19-21 year old care leavers in the North West were in accommodation considered “unsuitable”.
In Manchester itself that figure rises to 9pc of 17-18 year old and 14pc of all 19-21 year old care leavers.
Unsuitable housing can include B&B accommodation, homeless hostels or night shelters, or ‘sofasurfing’ with friends. While these figures paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by children in care and young care leavers, charities are keen to stress that the data doesn’t tell the whole story.
Ms Finlayson, from Become, said: “The full context here is that there are many young people who do flourish against the odds.
“From our experience, children who are in care from an early age and are settled have good outcomes, and academic research bears this out.”
She argues the biggest priority is getting far more foster carers into the system. She said: “The current shortage means it’s really hard to get the right match, and children aren’t necessarily being put with the right family that’s why they are often moved about so much”.
“We also need to support and train foster workers to have an understanding of a child’s emotional and developmental needs, so that they can provide a more therapeutic environment.”
An estimated 3pc of children in care in Greater Manchester have been identified as having a substance misuse problem, although in some areas the proportion is much higher.
In Stockport, for example, ●●A special investigation by our sister paper the MEN has revealed the scale of social challenges facing children living in care in Greater Manchester 8pc of children looked after by the council have a drug or alcohol misuse problem, while in Manchester 9pc do. While there are no official figures for the exact number of children who have been identified as having a substance misuse problem overall to compare this with, there are figures on the number actually receiving treatment for one.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We want every child to have the best possible support as they move into their adult lives so they can go on to fulfil their potential.
“That is why we have made it a legal requirement for all looked after children to have regular health assessments, including mental health and wellbeing assessments to help inform their care plan. Later this year, we will also begin piloting ways to improve mental health assessments for looked-after children when they enter care.
“We have also provided over £7m of innovation funding to Greater Manchester Combined Authority specifically intended to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.”
Ed Francis, assistant director safeguarding and partnerships at Oldham council said: “We work hard to ensure all Oldham children have the best start in life. Unfortunately children in our care have often experienced significant trauma, such as abuse or neglect in their early childhood and the effects of this can have a long-lasting impact.
“We recognise that these early experiences can lead to behavioural and emotional challenges and so we provide a range of support to build on young people’s strengths and positive characteristics rather than labelling them as problems which can impact both their behaviour and future chances.”