Care leavers suffer schooling gap
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Almost half of children leaving care have no qualifications in their twenties compared with one in six of the general population, according to a report by Barnado's.
A similar proportion of care leavers are unemployed and struggling to survive on benefits, Professor Mike Stein, who carried out the study, said.
Those who went on schemes developed in the last decade to help care leavers were more likely to find good accommodation, managed their budgets better and were more likely to find work than those who did not. The charity is calling for more commitment and resources so that care leavers do not fall through the gaps in the support network.
'What Works in Leaving Care?' (pounds 6.99) is from Barnado's Child Care Publications, Barnado's Trading Estate, Paycocke Road, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3DR Glenda Cooper
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments