Teenagers in care: how can we do better?
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Teenagers. I wonder what comes to mind when you see this word? What memories or moments in your own life do you remember from this period? Whether you have fond memories, or ones that still make you cringe, it is undoubtable that these are formative and simultaneously challenging years of our life. Our experiences during teenage-hood characterise us; it is a time in which we grow, learn and evolve. As a recent graduate, my teenage years are just a couple of years behind me and yet I recognise that I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for the support of my loving parents, school and countless other individuals during these years.
However, this hasn’t been the experience of thousands of teenagers in our country.
Many of these teenagers are currently in the care system, with this cohort comprising the largest and fastest growing group of children in care. The numbers of young people in care aged 13 and over rose by 21% between 2013 and 2018. The average age of children entering care has been rising steadily each year with nearly a quarter of young people in care over the age of 16.
Despite these trends, the care system has not kept pace with the needs of this cohort and has not adapted sufficiently to ensure that suitable provision is available.
As a result, many are placed in inappropriate accommodation including caravans and tents due to a lack of other options. Such settings not only are physically inappropriate, but are often relationally inadequate, providing little opportunity for young people to build relationships with adults who will support, equip and stand by them. The result is that many feel left to fend for themselves at a time where they need most support. They face a cliff edge at the age of 18 or 21. Too many are entering adulthood without the relationships or skills that they need to flourish and reach their potential.
Can we really then be surprised when 1 in 4 of individuals in our prisons and those experiencing homelessness have spent time in the care system?
If we want to change these outcomes, we must address the root issues. At Home for Good, we believe that no teenager should enter adulthood alone. Every young person needs a family or tribe by their side and a safe, appropriate place to live.
Over the past two years, we have been investigating a solution to this problem. Our latest report makes a compelling case for greater use of a provision called supported lodgings, whereby a young person aged 16+ lives in a room in the home of a ‘host’ family or individual. The young person has greater independence than in foster care and the host holds less parental responsibility but is tasked with providing emotional and practical support to the young person, including helping them to develop practical skills for adulthood such as cooking and budgeting.
We have heard repeatedly from professionals, hosts and young people that supported lodgings can be a great option for many young people, providing them with vital stability during this time in their life. It is fundamentally relational, with many young people continuing to have a close, supportive relationship with their host for many years after they have moved out. It is also financially viable; significantly cheaper than many other semi-independent settings.
One young person, who lived in supported lodgings from the age of 16 onwards told us about her experience:
“I still had my independence, but had that safety net, and a place to call home. I knew that if it wasn't going to be all right, I could still go to [my host] without feeling a fool… sometimes it's okay not to be independent.”
Despite these benefits, 70% of the general population have never heard of it. This lack of awareness is also prevalent among social workers and politicians. Supported lodgings is vastly under-utilised as a result. We want to change this and enable many more young people to experience support and stability as they journey into adulthood through being offered a supported lodgings placement.
Here are a couple of ways you can get involved:
1. Read our new report, so you can be informed. Share about it on social media, or point people to this blog post.
2. Write to your MP through our website, asking them to meet with Home for Good to enable our recommendations to reach the right hands.
Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself, to inform those around you and for campaigning on behalf of those whom God loves but the world does not care for. Together, we make a difference.
Natasha Leake
Political Advocacy Intern, Home for Good
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