7 Conclusion
109. Looked after young people face
many disadvantages throughout their childhoods, yet too much is
expected from them too soon in their transition to adulthood and
independence. The troubling and disruptive events that lead to
a child or young person becoming looked after have significant
and long-lasting effects, not least on their vulnerability as
a care leaver, and can leave them less well-prepared to cope with
independence. This relative disadvantage is exacerbated by the
inconsistent levels of support available to care leavers as they
move into adulthood and embark upon more independent living.
110. Our concerns before this inquiry
have, if anything, increased throughout it. The suitability and
safety of 'other arrangements' must be improved. Differentiating
their governance from that for other placements in which looked
after young people are housed is an anomaly that demonstrates
an insufficient understanding of the vulnerability of the young
people concerned. The current Staying Put policy discriminates
against looked after young people not living in foster care. The
DfE's arguments against extending Staying Put to all looked after
young people failed to convince us.
111. The Minister told us, "I remain
determined to continue to push the boundaries wherever they need
to go […] to make sure that children themselves get what
they deserve".[206]
Our report outlines where those boundaries need to be pushed in
the final years of care: much more can, and should, be done to
prepare and plan better for a gradual transition to independence,
to develop and sustain the relationships that matter the most,
to ensure the safety and suitability of the homes in which young
people live, and to be responsive to an individual's need, rather
than reactive to their age.
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