Care leavers’ experiences of emotional wellbeing support while leaving care

The report identifies a number of key findings:

• Contributors to low emotional wellbeing: Participants described how unresolved childhood trauma and isolation caused by independent living and a disconnect from their peers can have a lasting negative impact on emotional wellbeing
• Managing mental health and pathways to support: Participants recognised that managing mental health conditions affected their overall wellbeing, identifying therapy and financial support as key pathways to addressing these challenges
• Transitions: Relationships, especially with Personal Advisors (PAs), play a central support role during the period of transitioning out of care. However, issues within these relationships, such as a lack of fit or inconsistency, can affect care leavers’ experiences of PA support.
• Key facilitators and barriers: PAs provide tailored and flexible support which positively affects emotional wellbeing. However, inflexible services, bureaucratic processes, long waiting lists and a wider lack of understanding of care leavers experiences within services can hinder support.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion: Participants felt misunderstood or stereotyped based on race or gender, affecting their experiences of care and support.
• Aspirations and achievements: Participants shared a collective aspiration for a better future. Many described their dedication to improving the care system and helping others through volunteering, employment and other opportunities. Despite challenges, they have achieved many professional and personal growth goals.

The report makes a number of recommendations based on reflections shared by young people during interviews. These include recommendations aimed at local authorities and PAs, including:

• Training in empathy and communication skills
• Greater support with administrative tasks, and improved preparation for the transition out of care, with assistance from PAs coming earlier
• Efforts to tackle discrimination towards, and stigmatisation, of care leavers

The report also makes a number of wider recommendations, including:

• Prioritisation for care leavers on waiting lists for mental health and health care services
• Flagging care experience within healthcare and mental healthcare records, alongside training on what care experience might mean for individuals
• Giving care leavers the option to work with practitioners from minoritised ethnic groups
• Improving the process for claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP)