Call For Councils To Become 'Parents'

Councils are being called on to provide better support for young people who are leaving care.

The 16 and 17 year olds are among the most vulnerable in society, and often find themselves homeless and unemployed - and in many cases, in prison.

Charities want local authorities to sign up to an agreement, known as "the Covenant", making them 'corporate parents' and giving the kind of financial and emotional support a traditional mum or dad would provide.

Many children are thrown in the deep end when they turn 16.

Jennifer Davidson, Director of the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) said: "The journey into adulthood can be a bumpy one for many young people. 

"Care leavers in particular often find this journey to be an isolating and difficult struggle, often because of a serious lack of support and care in the process. The leap we ask care experienced young people to take from care to independence is just too sudden and too great. 

"When we don’t adequately support these young people through this stage of life, they experience problems that can lead to an entrenched disadvantage compared to their peers. This is why this Covenant is needed - to change our collective thinking and practice to meet these young people’s unique needs and ensure their transitions are supported well."