Ministers Could Give Care Leavers Free Prescriptions And Bus Fares
2 min read
Care leavers could get free prescriptions and bus fares as part of plans to boost government support for vulnerable young people, PoliticsHome understands.
At a recent meeting of the Labour Government's Care Leavers Inter-Ministerial Board, ministers also discussed waiving passport fees and uplifting Universal Credit for young people who have been in care to receive the same amount as over 25s.
The new board, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, met earlier this month for the first time since Labour's General Election victory in July.
The meeting heard from the children’s charity Become as well as young people who raised their concerns with ministers over the cost of living, transport and health support.
One woman who ended up jobless and homeless after turning 18 told her story of being a care leaver and the need for more support.
The cross-government group is exploring potential policies to improve care leaver outcomes and experiences.
Other ministers who attended the meeting where the ideas were discussed include business minister Sarah Jones, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, children’s minister Janet Daby and health minister Andrew Gwynne.
Veterans minister Alistair Carns and transport minister Simon Lightwood also attended, PoliticsHome understands.
The independent review of children’s social care, published in 2022 and produced by new Labour MP Josh MacAlister, originally recommended that care leavers be exempt from prescription charges up to age 25.
The NHS Long Term Plan published in 2019 said care leavers do not reliably receive the support they need, while the charity Children’s Society recommended care leavers be eligible for improved entitlements to universal credit.
This week the Government published plans to overhaul the children’s social care system in its ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’ policy statements, which include that all local authorities should offer the ‘Staying Close’ programme – currently only run in 47 areas – for care leavers in their area.
A Department for Education spokesperson told PoliticsHome: “We’re determined to make sure every young person leaving care has the opportunities they need to thrive.
“Our Care Leavers Ministerial Board brings together ministers from across government to secure positive changes that give care leavers the best possible life chances.
“Our wider reforms to the children’s social care system will also require all local authorities to support care leavers to access accommodation, as well as practical and emotional help through the ‘Staying Close’ programme.”
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