Recently in care leavers Category

Tim Yeo, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, has accused Suffolk Council of "kidnapping" newly born babies in cases where the birth parents do not wish to give them up for adoption.

Writing ahead of last night's adjournment debate on the adoption and custody of children in Suffolk, Yeo expressed "deep concerns" about the council's adoption practices.

Read the full article on ePolitix.com

Gordon Brown to apologise to former child migrants: Care leavers charity wants more apologies from UK government

As reported by World News Australia, Gordon Brown is to issue a formal apology next year to thousands of Brits who were put into care as children and sent to Australia, Canada and other former colonies as the result of 20th-century child migrant programs.

As many as 150,000 British children may have been shipped abroad under the programs, which operated until 1967.

This week is National Care Leavers' Week.

Organisations such as the Care Leavers' Association, Voice and the National Care Advisory Service are hoping to raise awareness of the issues (still) facing young people as they leave care - like finding suitable accomodation, beginning employment/training/further education and receiving continued emotional support.

By Amy Taylor

On a recent trip to a council in the West of England I was struck by the difference in the level of services offered to young people in need who become homeless at the ages of 16 or 17 and those leaving care. While both groups often seemed to have similar problems, a need for accommodation, an increased likelihood to have mental health problems and drug and alcohol problems and low educational attainment, the services available to care leavers and what they are entitled to is far superior.