Supporting Care Leavers

At the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust, we witness the challenges and inequalities faced by care leavers every day. These young individuals, who have already overcome so much, continue to experience setbacks in education, health, and socio-economic opportunities. Sadly, traditional services are failing to address these issues, leaving many young people to suffer in silence.

Barriers to education

One of the areas where care leavers face significant barriers is access to higher education. Children who have been looked after within the care system often encounter discrimination and hurdles when pursuing further and higher education. As a result, their achievements in school, especially at key stage 4, tend to be lower compared to their peers.

The statistics paint a disheartening picture. In 2018-19, only 13% of pupils who had been continuously in care for 12 months or more entered higher education, while an alarming 43% of other pupils did.

Completing an undergraduate degree poses a particular challenge for care leavers. The available data suggests that by the age of 23, only 12% of care leavers enrol in university, compared to 40% of non-care leavers. These disparities are disheartening, especially considering the potential and resilience these young individuals possess.

The expectations placed on care leavers are often lower, which is exacerbated by the lack of emotional investment from carers and professionals and a scarcity of positive role models. Ongoing support and financial assistance, which are considered the societal norm, are often absent for care leavers. They struggle to fund their education, access necessary equipment, buy books, or secure accommodation. Moreover, limited access to information and guidance about higher education creates additional barriers for these young individuals.

How can we make a difference?

At the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust, we firmly believe that every child deserves love, understanding, guidance, and the right support to achieve their goals. That’s why we have developed a unique approach within our care center. We provide bespoke educational packages tailored to the needs of each individual child, ensuring they learn at a pace that suits them. Our approach includes practical skills training and alternative courses that allow young people to gain different, yet recognizable, qualifications. We also provide support to help them access mainstream education, opening doors to brighter futures.

The challenges faced by care leavers aren’t limited to education alone. Unfortunately, premature mortality rates are significantly higher among this vulnerable group. Research shows that adults who were in the care system between 1971 and 2001 face an increased risk of premature death. Additionally, compared to adults who resided with relatives as children, those who lived in residential care reported significantly lower levels of good health.

The Samantha Sykes FT is passionately committed to ending the inequality and discrimination faced by those who have experienced being in the care system during their childhood. We aim to make being care experienced a recognized and protected characteristic, ensuring that no child is left behind as they transition into adulthood.