The life experiences of care-experienced young people are significantly worse than their counterparts who are not care-experienced. As noted by The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care for England, care-experienced young people are badly served by current social care systems and there needs to be change. Transition points within the care system are a key moment where vital support disappears - particularly when care-experienced young people leave care and begin living independently. Without loving and trusting relationships, this can be a lonely and isolating time.
This report was commissioned by Barnardo’s Care Journeys Core Priority Programme to develop an understanding of how community-based support (such as mentoring) can support care-experienced young people through life transitions and help them to develop positive relationships.