Peter Landman reports from May’s Newham Council Cabinet

a young person — Photo: Retha Ferguson/Pexels

The Council has agreed to take special action to help young people in care, a vulnerable group that often suffers discrimination.

The Council Cabinet in May received a report urging the Council to add young people in care to the list of groups of people with Protected Characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010.

Protected Characteristics highlight and identify groups of people who need special focus to enjoy the same opportunities as others and who are at risk of suffering discrimination.

Young people are likely to become emotionally damaged and disadvantaged from difficult parenting circumstances in early years.

The report lists disturbing statistics: – 38 percent of care leavers have been counted as not being in further education, employment or training as compared with 7 percent of young people who have not been in care.

Around 52 percent of care leavers aged 24 have been implicated in the criminal justice system as compared with 13 percent for those not in care. There are similar differential rates on mental health conditions and homelessness.

Care Leavers were involved in preparation of this report and a group of them attended the Cabinet meeting and were applauded enthusiastically.

A working party has been set up with care leavers included, and the Mayor has asked for an update for the next Cabinet.

In 2023 the Council worked on a programme with University College London on how best to support care leavers on training and employment within the Council.

For more information contact Sarah.Ruiz@newham.gov.uk

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