The Nuffield Foundation funded report Digging Deeper has been published. Led by a team at UCL Institute of Education, it presents findings from a national survey on the well-being of 17-year-olds who were in care during childhood.
It reveals that these young people face significant disadvantages compared to their peers, particularly in education, employment, mental health, and engagement in risky behaviours. The research shows that one in four 17-year-olds (26%) who have lived in foster or residential care, and one in five (21%) with other relatives, have tried to end their own life. This is compared to one in 14 (7%) teenagers with no care experience.
The research was reported by the Guardian, and quoted Nuffield Family Justice Observatory Director Lisa Harker who said, the fact that one in four care-experienced children had attempted suicide was a “national emergency.” She added: “This study also shows that the difficulties that young people have are not inevitable or insurmountable. We can – and must – do much more to give care-experienced young people the intensive support they need. It is not only morally right that we should do so, but it will pay dividends in reducing lifelong inequalities.”
Find out more about the project and read the report, Digging Deeper here.
Read the new story from UCL here.
