Research published by the Children’s Society finds that large numbers of young people leaving care are having their benefits stopped, pushing many into debt and destitution. ‘The Cost of Being Care-Free’, found that 4,000 benefit sanctions have been applied to care leavers in the last two years, making them at least three times more likely to have their benefits stopped than the general population. The report also finds that more than 4,000 young people who left care missed out on crucial financial education, as almost half of the local authorities in England are failing to offer care leavers financial education and debt advice.
For more information and a link to download the report visit the Children’s Society website.