Care leaver study reveals ethnic gap

July 6, 2005 in Looked after children

Care leaver study reveals ethnic gap White young people suffer the
worst outcomes of all ethnic groups within the care system and
after leaving it, a Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found.

The study finds they are most at risk of placement disruption, low
educational attainment, homelessness, criminality and drug use,
followed by Caribbean and mixed-parentage children.

However, Caribbean young people have more stable placements and are
more likely to gain further qualifications than the other two
groups.

The survey of 261 care leavers reveals that, across all ethnic
groups, many feel they receive little support on leaving the
system, despite the aims of the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 to
improve services.

The report says: “Around half of all groups did not recall getting
help and advice on some of the most basic issues, such as housing,
careers, claiming benefits, budgeting skills and cooking.”