Ongoing Responsibility for Looked-After Children Beyond Age 18
Outcomes for children in care remain poor across health, education, and employment, with a 62% higher chance of dying before 75 and four times the likelihood of a criminal conviction. In England, the looked-after population fell from 83,750 in 2023 to 81,770 in March last year, but this is still 17.7% higher than a decade ago.
Recent reforms include free prescriptions, dentistry, and eye care for care leavers up to age 25, reflecting the state's ongoing responsibility beyond age 18. Additional measures include a pilot program for dedicated mental health support and NHS internships.
Councils face severe financial pressures, depleted local services, challenges in recruiting and retaining social workers, and a shortage of foster carers. A forthcoming consultation will address expanding eligibility for care support. Since care policy is devolved, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not affected by these changes; they collectively have 23,230 looked-after children.
England could benefit from lessons in Scotland, where bursaries have increased university attendance among care leavers, although currently only about 14% of care leavers in England enter higher education.
Josh MacAlister, author of a Conservative report and now children's minister in Bridget Phillipson's department, is encouraged to advocate for further reforms, rebalance the sector toward public and non-profit provision, and ensure awareness of care leavers' entitlements.
