The children's rights watchdog for Wales published a report on leaving care, noting that improvements had been seen since the 2011 survey. The findings would inform further dialogue with key stakeholders about the issues raised.
Source: Keith Towler, Lost After Care: Monitoring report 2013, Children's Commissioner for Wales
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Oct
The Scottish Government issued guidelines to assist local authorities and their community planning partners in the development and implementation of local 'housing options protocols for care leavers'.
Source: Housing Options Protocols for Care Leavers: Guidance for corporate parents – improving housing and accommodation outcomes for Scotland s care leavers, Scottish Government
Links: Guidelines | Summary
Date: 2013-Oct
The Scottish Government issued guidance for local authorities and other corporate parents on supporting looked-after children and young people to remain in care, as part of a staged transition towards adulthood and greater independence.
Source: Staying Put Scotland: Providing care leavers with connectedness and belonging, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Summary | University of Strathclyde press release
Date: 2013-Oct
The government published a cross-departmental strategy for young people leaving care in England.
Source: Care Leaver Strategy: A cross-departmental strategy for young people leaving care, HM Government
Links: Report | Joint press release | NCB press release
Date: 2013-Oct
A report called for radical changes to the way that care leavers were supported in England. It said that the cut-off age for support should be raised from 21 to 25 for all care leavers; that children in foster care should be allowed to remain with their foster carers until they were at least 21 if they wished; and that 'virtual school' head teachers should champion the educational attainment of looked-after children in each local authority up to the age of 25.
Source: Still Our Children: Case for reforming the leaving care system in England, Barnardo's (with six other charities)
Links: Report | Barnardos press release | Catch22 press release | WCT press release | LGA press release
Date: 2013-May