Cash Boost For Yorkshire Teens In Care

YORK and North Yorkshire will get their share of £5 million to help vulnerable youngsters stay in care beyond 18. Minister for Young People Kevin Brennan has announced that City of York and North Yorkshire County councils are two of ten local authorities to get a share of almost £5 million.

The Staying Put pilots will give children in care the chance to benefit from a stable family placement so that they only move to independent living when they feel properly prepared and ready.

advertisementThis will allow children in care to make the transition to adulthood in a more gradual way, just like other young people who rely on their families for this type of support.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: “It is quite an achievement to win the bid.

“We believe that it is our record of keeping young people in care and who have left care at the centre of our planning that has persuaded the Department of Children, Schools and Families to support our bid.

“Staying Put is about enabling young people to remain with their foster carers beyond their 18th birthday, just as other young people continue to have a home with their parents beyond 18 years.

“This is something that we have aspired to achieve in York and our success in gaining this funding will help us to make it happen.

“The relationship between young people and their foster carers is absolutely crucial if we are to provide young people with the chance to experience family life and support throughout the difficult transition into adulthood.

“Our foster carers are fantastically committed to the young people they look after and this funding will enable us to recruit even more foster carers to extend the support offered to young people beyond their 18th birthday.

“Any readers who would like to know more about how to become a foster carer, can telephone 01904 555333.

“We especially look for people with the qualities of warmth, tolerance and patience.”

Andy McCullough, chairman of the English Coalition For Young Runaways, said: “These plans are the culmination of a lot of hard work between all of the key players.

“It is incredibly positive and proof that the Government is serious about protecting this vulnerable group of children.

“However, we will need to deliver on this action plan if we are to ensure a safe future for children who feel they have no other choice but to run away.”

The Staying Put pilots will be carried out in: Bristol; Cheshire; Dorset; Lincolnshire; Merton; Northamptonshire; North Tyneside; North Yorkshire; Warwickshire and York.