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Campaigning for extended provision of digital devices and internet access for care leavers when living independently for the first time.
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There are 80,000 18-25 year old care leavers in England – and fears are growing that many remain without internet access, leaving them unable to access education, training, work and to keep in touch with friends, family and professionals.
The lockdown period shone a light on the predicament that care leavers have always faced – that most of them are not digitally connected as they cannot afford to pay for Wi-Fi or limited data.
In 2020, together with more than 35 charities and youth organisations, Catch22 wrote an open letter to MPs, calling for extended provision of digital devices and internet for care leavers, to enable them to thrive when living independently for the first time, and to reduce the impact that digital poverty can have on their futures.
Running a home, having a career, a social life and everything in between has become almost dependent on having this connection and types of devices. That is the reason for the campaign: we want care leavers to have the same chances and success as those who were not in care. Is that too much to ask?
Luke Fox, Chair of the Care Leavers National Movement
To:
Gavin Williamson MP, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Education
Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families
Nadhim Zahawi MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business and Industry
We are calling on government to:
- Extend and improve uptake of the government scheme that provides digital devices and internet for all care leavers
- Ensure every care leaver in England has a digital device and internet access for at least 12 months when they first live independently
- Recommend that all local offers for care leavers include the right to a digital device and internet access
- Call to ensure care leavers are digitally connected
The world revolves around being digitally connected. Having access to a device and being connected to the internet are essentials that our society cannot live without.
Care leavers are a part of our society – and the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the digital exclusion that many care leavers in England are experiencing. There are still many care leavers who are not digitally connected.
The Government’s scheme to provide digital devices and internet access to vulnerable children in England at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic provided a lifeline to many care leavers.
Those previously without devices or connectivity had the opportunity to access online learning, apply for jobs and attend interviews, and connect with friends and family. These are things that the majority of people rightly take for granted.
But government has stopped issuing laptops, and the internet access is set to end in November 2020.
We also know that many care leavers were unable to access the devices – or secure an internet connection to go with them. In a survey of local authorities, covering more than 6000 care leavers between them, 40% said that none of the care leavers they worked with had received a laptop or tablet as part of the Government-funded scheme. This was due to a variety of issues, including IT problems, distribution delays and confusion over eligibility criteria.
Being connected to the internet is vital for the c. 80,000 care leavers in England aged 18-25. Not only does it mean they can continue studies or employment at home and in the absence of face to face learning, but it allows them to connect with their peers. Without a computer and internet access, care leavers who already face considerable challenges feel more isolated and are further disadvantaged.
Having reliable internet access makes a huge difference to those care leavers who have been able to take advantage. Taking it away would not only be a backwards step, but would have a potentially damaging effect on these young care leavers’ ability to learn, communicate and work effectively. It would plunge many into digital poverty.
Devices and internet access are crucial to minimise disadvantage and maximise opportunity. Digital access should be a right, not a luxury.
Our open letter was signed by:
Signed by: Catch22, National House Project, Esmée Fairbairn, Care Leaver Covenant, The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s, Become, British Youth Council, Carefree Fostering Independence Cornwall, Care Leavers National Movement, Children England, Children’s Rights Alliance England. Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Coram Voice, Digital Access for All, Drive Forward Foundation, Family Action, Family Rights Group, The Fostering Network, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Greater Manchester Youth Network, The Independent Children’s Homes Association, Just for Kids Law, Learning Foundation, Leap Confronting Conflict, Leicestershire Cares, Lighthouse, National Network for the Education of Care Leavers, Partnership Young London, Plus One Programme: Derby Theatre, Pure Insight, Sea Cadets, Social Mobility Commission, St Christopher’s Fellowship, Together Trust, WhiteHat, Young Minds, Youth Leads and Youth Work Unit.
Building on these successes, we’re continuing to pursue our longer-term goals outlined in the open letter to Ministers, including to ensure every care leaver in England has a digital device and internet access for at least 12 months when they first live independently.
Melissa Milner
Director of External Affairs and Partnerships
We’re continuing to pursue our longer-term goals, including to ensure every care leaver in England has a digital device and internet access for at least 12 months when they first live independently.
For further information, please reach out using our contact form, and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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The Data Processor (the organisation that does data processing on behalf of Catch22) is Totally.Tech.
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We may update this privacy notice from time-to-time. Check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes.
Please contact the Data Protection Officer if you have any queries regarding this Privacy Notice or if you would like to exercise or query any of the following rights afforded to you under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
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If you have any questions about this privacy notice or of our treatment of your personal data, please email dpo@catch-22.org.uk or write to:
Data Protection Officer
Catch22
27 Pear Tree Street
London
EC1V 3AG
Catch22’s data protection registration number is Z1473239
Our children’s homes enable children in care to have the same opportunities as everyone else, using a social pedagogy approach that focuses on relationships and education.
Our services support young people leaving care as they transition to independence, to ensure that they have the same opportunities as other young people.
