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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Young 'pushed' from care too soon | Young 'pushed' from care too soon |
| (3 days later) | |
| Many young people are being "pushed out" of the care system before they are ready, according to a report. | Many young people are being "pushed out" of the care system before they are ready, according to a report. |
| The commissioner for children, Kathleen Marshall, found that more than half the children who left care last year were aged 16. | The commissioner for children, Kathleen Marshall, found that more than half the children who left care last year were aged 16. |
| She said this could leave them vulnerable to homelessness, drink and drugs problems and unemployment. | She said this could leave them vulnerable to homelessness, drink and drugs problems and unemployment. |
| The Scottish Government said children should remain in care until 18 if it is in their best interests. | The Scottish Government said children should remain in care until 18 if it is in their best interests. |
| Ms Marshall claimed that, in many cases, children were being seen as a "troublesome burden" rather than "a vulnerable person to be nurtured, cared for and listened to". | Ms Marshall claimed that, in many cases, children were being seen as a "troublesome burden" rather than "a vulnerable person to be nurtured, cared for and listened to". |
| Sixteen is not the age of leaving care in Scotland Kathleen Marshall Scotland's Commissioner for Children | Sixteen is not the age of leaving care in Scotland Kathleen Marshall Scotland's Commissioner for Children |
| She added: "At just 16 years old - the very time that they need help to cope, adjust and find their place in the world - many are all but completely abandoned with little, if any, aftercare." | She added: "At just 16 years old - the very time that they need help to cope, adjust and find their place in the world - many are all but completely abandoned with little, if any, aftercare." |
| The commissioner warned that leaving care early could bring children into "highly inappropriate settings" such as bed and breakfast accommodation or homeless hostels. | The commissioner warned that leaving care early could bring children into "highly inappropriate settings" such as bed and breakfast accommodation or homeless hostels. |
| Her report - entitled "Sweet 16?" - claimed that one young person was put in a bed and breakfast accommodation where a convicted murderer was a fellow guest. | Her report - entitled "Sweet 16?" - claimed that one young person was put in a bed and breakfast accommodation where a convicted murderer was a fellow guest. |
| She added: "We need the message to be heard loud and clear - sixteen is not the age of leaving care in Scotland." | She added: "We need the message to be heard loud and clear - sixteen is not the age of leaving care in Scotland." |
| 'Strong action' | 'Strong action' |
| The report made 23 recommendations, including a call for "strong action" to change the culture that assumes 16 is the age for leaving care. | The report made 23 recommendations, including a call for "strong action" to change the culture that assumes 16 is the age for leaving care. |
| It also recommended workers be trained and informed about young people's rights, so they can pass this information on to youngsters. | It also recommended workers be trained and informed about young people's rights, so they can pass this information on to youngsters. |
| The report also called for more semi-independent living units to be provided and for a ban on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and homeless hostels to house those leaving care. | The report also called for more semi-independent living units to be provided and for a ban on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and homeless hostels to house those leaving care. |
| Tam Baillie, of the charity Barnardo's Scotland, said: "We need to ask ourselves why our most vulnerable young people are expected to be fully independent at such a young age, often in very difficult circumstances." | Tam Baillie, of the charity Barnardo's Scotland, said: "We need to ask ourselves why our most vulnerable young people are expected to be fully independent at such a young age, often in very difficult circumstances." |
| A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "We are committed to helping children in care develop into self-confident, successful adults and agree that more needs to be done to help them make the transition to independent living." | A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "We are committed to helping children in care develop into self-confident, successful adults and agree that more needs to be done to help them make the transition to independent living." |
| He said the government was working with councils to make sure that care leavers were appropriately housed. | He said the government was working with councils to make sure that care leavers were appropriately housed. |
| Figures showed that in 2007 there were more than 14,000 children in care - 26% more than in 1999 and the highest number since 1982. | Figures showed that in 2007 there were more than 14,000 children in care - 26% more than in 1999 and the highest number since 1982. |