Councils ‘failing young people who spent time in care’

Young people who grew up in care are “falling through the cracks” when they reach adult hood, it has been claimed.

Research by Scottish Labour found just six per cent of those eligible for “continuing care” after their 18th birthday have requested or been offered the option to remain in care.

The finding comes despite legislation introduced by the Scottish Government in 2014 which places a duty on councilsto care for young people up to the age of 21.

Labour’s research found that in many areas the £5million-a-year provision is underfunded and places additional pressure on already-stretched council budgets.

Several councils have exceeded the amount allocated, while others have spent the money to relieve pressures elsewhere, the party said.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale said: “Four years since flagship legislation was introduced, we have examined whether all the promises made by the Scottish Government have been kept. The results are startling and deeply worrying.

“For too long care-experienced young people have been abandoned at the age of 18 and are more likely to end up in a prison than a university lecture theatre.

“The introduction of continuing care was designed to address this but our report reveals a patchwork of provision across Scotland, with only a small number of young people being offered the option to remain in care.”

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 places a duty on councils to care for people up to the age of 21 in the same accommodation type as before they turned 18.