Vox Pop: Should there be a minimum care leavers' grant?

YES – Natasha Finlayson, chief executive, The Who Cares? Trust

Young people leaving care face numerous challenges and need an individually tailored package of support. They need excellent, committed personal advisers to provide both emotional and logistical help, as well as the financial support of the care leavers’ grant, which in some local authorities is insufficient to cover even the essentials.

We want to see a national minimum grant linked to inflation and based on the reality of what it actually costs to equip a flat, rather than on the average of current grants. We believe government should make additional funding available to enable local authorities to implement this national minimum standard.


NO – David Simmonds, chair, Local Government Association children and young people board

We know there is more that can be done and welcome the opportunity to work with care leavers and learn from their experiences, but a centrally imposed one-size-fits-all approach is not the answer.

Like any family, councils provide a whole package of support to ensure looked-after children get the help they need as they move into adulthood. This reflects the individual circumstances of each young person and may include money, help in kind and support with housing or finding a job.

Councils take their role as corporate parents extremely seriously and know what works best in their area and what level of financial support is required to help young people to thrive.


YES – Janet Rich, trustee, Care Leavers’ Foundation

The Care Leavers’ Foundation is delighted that the Department for Education has finally placed this important matter centre stage and written to directors of children’s services to express concern at the current “postcode lottery”, which leaves many care leavers struggling to establish a decent base from the moment they leave care.

We are, however, disappointed that the suggested minimum is £2,000 when research clearly indicates that a figure of £3,000 is needed. Would the minister also ask directors to send him a list of exactly which 33 per cent of items they would like their care leavers to do without?


NO – Debbie Jones, president, Association of Directors of Children’s Services

While access to funding for basic essentials is clearly a necessary part of transition to adulthood, it is not sufficient.

The support young people receive from carers, social workers and other agencies can be just as important in making sure that care leavers are safe, settled and able to fulfil their potential. Local authorities should have the flexibility to tailor cash grants and hands-on support to individual needs, as any parent would.

YES – Kevin Gallagher, chief executive, Tact

Tact is pleased to see that the children’s minister wants local authorities to address significant disparities and shortfalls in care lavers grants. Unfortunately, he does not yet intend to introduce a minimum level of grant so we hope authorities do not need further coercion.

Ultimately, Tact believes there is a need to entirely reassess the relationship between the young person leaving care and the state to a lifelong one if appropriate. We want to see ongoing support and priority access to services according to need and the role of corporate parent to truly represent the obligations of parenthood.