National Care Leavers’ Week allows the public, professionals, carers, decision-makers and the media to come together, celebrate care leavers and raise awareness of the issues in the care system.
Statistics reveal that in England 83,840 children were in care on 31 March 2023 and the latest figures reveal that 1 in every 141 children is in care*.
Young care leavers are expected to live much more independently at a much earlier stage than their peers. The average age that young people leave their parental home is 23, yet care leavers are much younger. Once they have left care, these young people are not necessarily able to rely on the support of their former carers in the same way that other young people are able to turn to their parents and family for support.
Kent Community Foundation supports care leavers through its Care Leavers Fund. The Fund awards grants to support care leavers aged between 16.5 and 25, as they move from foster or state care to independent living.
The funding is available throughout the county, and Kent Community Foundation will consider requests that aim to support the young person to set up home, gain confidence, experience, life skills and help reach their potential. All nominations much be made by a professional.
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said. “Our Care Leavers Fund is a very important support for the young people who are leaving care in Kent and Medway. Young people leave the care system for many different reasons including, returning to their parental home or to a person with parental responsibility, being subject to a special guardianship order, moving into independent living or being adopted. We know that care leavers consistently experience fewer positive outcomes than the general population and our support from this Fund is vital.”
Kent Community Foundation is part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged.
Professionals who wish to nominate a care leaver for funding from the Care Leavers Fund should visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding/individuals
Statistics * www.becomecharity.org.uk
- In 2022/23, 38% of care leavers aged 19-21 were Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), which is more than three times the rate for those without care experience
- Just 13% of children in care progress to higher education by the age of 19, compared to 45% of all pupils
- Young care leavers are ten times more likely to have received an immediate custodial sentence than young people who have not been in care
- 1 in 4 homeless people are care-experienced
About the Care Leavers Fund
The Kent Community Foundation Care Leavers fund awards grants to individuals to provide practical and holistic support. The individuals must be nominated by a professional who is supporting them.
Average grants from the fund are £500 – £1,500
www.kentcf.org.uk/funding/individuals
About Kent Community Foundation
Experienced grant-maker Kent Community Foundation is the organisation behind the organisations and has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary groups in the county for over twenty three years. In this time, it has distributed almost £60 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
Kent Community Foundation is part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than ninety philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
Kent Community Foundation funding priorities –
- Children, Young People & Families
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people’s physical and mental health, encouraging positive choices and staying safe. - Vulnerable Adults
Helping those who may need extra care dealing with challenging issues or those at risk of social exclusion or discrimination.
3. Elderly and Isolated
Enabling elderly adults to stay well, healthy, independent and free from social isolation.
4. Employability, Skills & Enterprise
Creating opportunities to develop skills and confidence and have a positive impact in areas and groups of people with high unemployment.
5. Environment
Encouraging community action to improve and protect local spaces with support sustainable ways of living.
