The issues facing vulnerable young people leaving care are always at the forefront of our minds at Barnardo’s, so last week we were encouraged to see Government throw the spotlight on these issues, in the build-up to ‘National Care Leavers Week’. 

The early part of the week saw Government commit to changing statutory guidance so that local authorities can only place care leavers in unsuitable B&Bs, used as emergency accommodation, for a maximum of two days. 

At Barnardo’s we see first-hand the struggle of care leavers who find themselves in desperate need of a roof over their heads.  We’ve come across numerous cases where they’ve had to suffer unsafe and squalid conditions whilst waiting for a permanent solution.  Many young people leaving care have already had such horrific childhoods - surely we owe them a better start to adult life than this?