“Survival is not easy”

The report shows the crisis is impacting mental health, housing security, ability to purchase food and essentials and young people are facing increasing levels of debt and are at increased risk of exploitation.

Over 460 care experienced young people took part in the survey in the last two weeks of November 2022 and shared their experiences:

• 82% said they were struggling to afford food all or some of the time.
• 64% saw their levels of debt increase in 2022
• 76% recognise the cost of living crisis has impacted their mental health
• 31% said they were at risk of homelessness, due to getting behind with rent
• 14% had put themselves in a vulnerable position, such as shoplifting, to afford essentials.

This impact is being felt by young people in education, seeking work and in work – with one in three of people responding being full-time workers.

“Food vouchers or help towards food costs would help. Going to food banks can be very embarrassing & it makes me feel in a vulnerable place.”

– Care experienced young person.

Ring-fenced amount from Household Support Fund allocation

Worryingly, only 35% of young people report receiving additional support from their local authority. We are calling for each Local Authority to secure a ring-fenced amount from their Household Support Fund allocation. Where this is happening, leaving care teams are able to support young people in a more proactive way, for example offering regular support with energy and food bills for young people living independently.

“I struggle day to day and it is quite worrying. My bills are so high, I live alone and have little in terms of support.”

– Care experienced young person

Universal credit uplift

Financial wellbeing is key to young people’s success in all areas including engaging with education, employment, maintaining friendships and positive mental health. As we work towards the five missions for care experienced people in the Care Review, financial wellbeing will be critical to all of these.

For those young people on Universal Credit, £61.22 per week is simply unaffordable to live on and we are calling for an immediate commitment to make care experienced young people entitled to the over 25 Universal Credit rate as soon as they turn 18. This will benefit those in education, seeking work and in low paid employment.

Given the numbers of young people who are struggling significantly despite being in employment, we need to see additional support released immediately – in the form of ring-fencing part of each local authority’s Household Support Fund and in securing discounts on transport and utility bills which will reduce a young person’s outgoings.

Care leavers at particular risk

While the cost of living crisis is impacting everyone, care experienced young people are particularly at risk, with only 15% of people taking our survey saying they had regular support from family or friends.

We are extremely concerned about the immediate situation young people are in and the long-term impact this will have on their wellbeing and aspirations.