Leaving care grant system slammed

Ten leading child care organisations have urged Margaret Hodge to
end what they call the “postcode lottery” for looked-after children
and their carers.

In a letter to the children and young people’s minister they said
the enormous differences in the amount of leaving care grant paid
by different local authorities was “unjust” and “unsustainable”,
adding that “children and young people should be valued the same
whatever their address”.

Research by one child care organisation led to a recommended
minimum leaving care grant of £2,000 plus London weighting to
cover the costs of setting up home. The coalition, which includes
NCH and Barnardo’s, is demanding a national minimum leaving-care
grant.

It is also calling for a system of national allowances for fostered
children in England because local authorities pay widely differing
sums to foster carers caring for children with similar needs.