Sally Glossop

How do we stop young people in care falling off the care cliff at 18? The Government could start by making care experience a protected characteristic. No young person should leave care and be expected to navigate adulthood alone. They should leave with stability — a safe place to call home, meaningful employment or education, financial security and the right support around them. We would never accept our own children leaving home at 18 to live in squalor, face homelessness or survive without stability. So why do we accept it for some of the most vulnerable young people our society has a responsibility to protect? Turning 18 shouldn’t mean turning your back on a young person. Care doesn’t end at 18. Our responsibility shouldn’t either. It’s now or never.