"The disadvantage faced by children who've grown up in care is a huge social injustice. That's why we're taking cross-government action to transform life chances for these children and care leavers. This package of health measures will make a tangible difference to reduce health inequalities, keep more children safe and help more families with intensive support. It also delivers on recommendations from the independent review of children's social care that I published in 2022."
"Those in care face the toughest start in life and as a result suffer from a barrage of health inequalities, hampering their chances of going on to lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life."
Young people leaving care in England will receive free prescriptions and free dental and eye services until their 25th birthday. A pilot will trial paid internships for care leavers in the NHS, alongside a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles. A separate three-year pilot will aim to improve access to mental-health support for children in care. Safeguarding measures will notify GPs when young patients are in care, and a new regulation will allow rapid information sharing across health services. About 53,230 care leavers aged 17–21 and 44,430 aged 22–25 were recorded in 2025, though figures may be underestimated. The package responds to recommendations from the independent review of children's social care and aims to reduce health inequalities and improve life chances for care-experienced young people.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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