The government has brought in a new package of measures for young people leaving care, which will provide free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services up to their 25th birthday, and enhanced job opportunities in the NHS.
As announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on 23 December, the move is intended to support children leaving care with free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services and improve access to healthcare services.
In addition, a new pilot to trial paid internships for care leavers in the NHS, and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles, “will break down barriers of opportunity and help more young people leaving care into work” – stated the DHSC.
The government is also trialling a three-year pilot to make sure children in care have access to mental health support sooner.
Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “Those in care face the toughest start in life and as a result suffer from a barrage of health inequalities, hampering their chances of going on to lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life. I’m proud that this government and the work Josh MacAlister did in my department will help break down those barriers to stop care leavers being held back. I am determined to give all children the best start in life, and this boost to healthcare and career opportunities for care leavers is a concrete step towards that goal.”
The government is also bringing in new safeguarding measures meaning GPs will be alerted if young patients are in care, while a new regulation will allow for information to be rapidly shared across health services “to make sure the right people have the right information at the right time”.
Read the DHSC announcement in full.
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