Free Healthcare for Young Care Leavers in England

Key Takeaways

• Young people leaving care in England will receive free prescriptions, dental, and eye services up to their 25th birthday
• A pilot program will trial paid internships for care leavers in the NHS and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles
• A separate three-year pilot aims to improve access to mental health support for children in care
• The government will introduce safeguarding measures to alert GPs if young patients are in care and allow for rapid sharing of information across health services
• The package of measures aims to reduce health inequalities and improve life chances for children in care and care leavers

Introduction to the Support Package
The government has announced a package of measures to support young people leaving care in England, aiming to reduce health inequalities and improve their life chances. The measures include free prescriptions, dental, and eye services up to their 25th birthday, as well as a pilot program to trial paid internships for care leavers in the NHS and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles. This package is a response to the significant challenges faced by care leavers, who are more likely to experience poor health outcomes and die prematurely. According to research, adults who spent time in care as children between 1971 and 2001 were 70% more likely to die prematurely, and care leavers were more likely to experience an unnatural death.

The Challenges Faced by Care Leavers
The health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, acknowledged that those in care face significant health inequalities, which can hamper their chances of leading a happy, successful, and fulfilling life. The minister for children, families, and wellbeing, Josh MacAlister, described the disadvantage faced by children who have grown up in care as a "huge social injustice." MacAlister emphasized the need for cross-government action to transform the life chances of these children and care leavers. The package of measures announced by the government is a step towards addressing these inequalities and providing support to care leavers as they transition to adulthood.

The Guaranteed Interview Scheme
The guaranteed interview scheme is a key component of the package, aiming to provide a level playing field for people from a background of being in care. The job application system will feature an option for candidates to declare if they are a care leaver, and if they meet the minimum criteria in the job description, they will be invited to an interview alongside other shortlisted candidates. This scheme is similar to existing NHS policies that guarantee interviews for people with a disability. The goal is to provide opportunities for care leavers to access employment and build a successful career, which can help to reduce health inequalities and improve their overall wellbeing.

Mental Health Support and Safeguarding Measures
A separate three-year pilot aims to improve access to mental health support for children in care. This pilot recognizes the significant mental health needs of children in care, who may have experienced trauma and adversity. The government will also introduce safeguarding measures to alert GPs if young patients are in care, allowing for rapid sharing of information across health services. This will help to ensure that care leavers receive the support they need to stay safe and healthy. The forthcoming children’s wellbeing and schools bill will enshrine in law a requirement for the government and public bodies to take into account the challenges faced by children in care and care leavers and the support they may need when leaving the care system.

Supporting Care Leavers in their Transition to Adulthood
The package of measures also includes support for care leavers as they transition to adulthood. Local authorities will be required to publish their arrangements for supporting care leavers in their transition to adulthood, as well as helping them find suitable accommodation and access other support through the Staying Close initiative. This initiative aims to provide care leavers with a stable and supportive environment as they navigate the challenges of independent living. By providing this support, the government hopes to reduce the risks of homelessness, unemployment, and poor health outcomes that are often associated with care leavers.

Conclusion and Future Directions
The package of measures announced by the government is a significant step towards addressing the health inequalities and challenges faced by care leavers. By providing free prescriptions, dental, and eye services, as well as support for employment and mental health, the government aims to improve the life chances of care leavers and reduce health inequalities. The guaranteed interview scheme and safeguarding measures will also help to provide a level playing field and ensure that care leavers receive the support they need to stay safe and healthy. As the government continues to implement these measures, it is essential to monitor their effectiveness and make adjustments as needed to ensure that care leavers receive the support they need to thrive.