Breakthrough decision to allow fostered young people to stay welcomed - but still a long way to go
Leading charities Action for Children-Gweithredu dros Blant and the Fostering Network Wales welcome the Welsh Assembly's decision to extend the age that fostered young people can stay with their foster carers until 21, but are seeking assurances that local authorities will receive extra money from the Government to fund young people wishing to stay with their foster families.
The announcement will mean that fostered young people in Wales will be able to stay with their foster carers until they are 21, if a local authority decides they need it. However, this does not place a clear enough duty upon local authorities to support the right of fostered young people to stay, which both charities believe is essential to ensure that this change to the law makes a real difference to fostered young people.
The charities also welcomed the Assembly's promise to strengthen the wording of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill at the report stage, to give more clarity to foster carers, young people in care and local authorities, and both charities will continue to support them in achieving this.
Action for Children-Gweithredu dros Blant Head of Campaigns Public Affairs, Matthew Downie, said: “It's fantastic that the Welsh Government has recognised the need to extend the age that young people leave foster care - to give them a better start at adult life.
“Whilst this is a huge step forward for young people in foster care, there are still some barriers to make this a reality. The main obstacle being that local authorities will not receive any funding to support this ambitious plan, as is the case in Scotland and England. But the cross-party commitment to work on strengthening the law is a fantastic opportunity to give clarification on this issue and achieve the best outcomes for fostered children in Wales. We look forward to working to make sure that the right support is given.”
Freda Lewis, Director of the Fostering Network Wales, said “We look forward to working with the Welsh Government over the coming weeks to ensure that the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill will promote the best possible outcomes for teenagers in foster care in Wales. We want to see fostered young people in Wales given the right to stay with their foster family beyond the age of 17 and their foster carers supported financially to be able to offer such placements, just as new laws are ensuring for their peers in England and Scotland.
“I know that the Deputy Minister shares our commitment to these vulnerable young people, and we welcome her clear statement that she would use Report Stage of the Bill to improve the plans in the spirit of Lindsay Whittle's amendment. We are really close to making sure that this is reflected in primary legislation and I thank her for taking on board the concerns of her colleagues in the Assembly.”
Action for Children-Gweithredu dros Blant's report, Chance to Stay - Cyfle I Aros, shows that young people who stay in foster care achieve more qualifications (55%) and are less likely to be involved in alcohol and substance misuse than those who leave by the age of 18.
