Councils warn that a potentially life-changing initiative for children leaving care only has enough funding to support 1 in 5 young people.

From the Local Government Association website.

“From 1 April, councils will have a new duty to provide eligible care leavers aged 21 to 25 with a personal adviser.

A personal adviser acts as a focal point for the care leaver, ensuring that they are provided with the practical and emotional support they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. Those under 21 already receive this support.

However the Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils in England and Wales, is concerned that the Government is only providing enough funding for 20 per cent of care leavers.

This amounts to around 4,700 young people out of a total of more than 23,000.

The Government has allocated around £12 million for councils to provide personal advisers but the LGA warns that at least double this amount could be needed.”

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