FtSE Member News: TACT comment following the announcement that the care leaving age in Scotland will be raised to 21

TACT welcomes the announcement by the Scottish Government that the care leaving age will be extended to 21 for all young people in foster, kinship or residential care. The measure will be introduced on April 2015. The changes, introduced in a Scottish Government amendment to the Children and Young Persons’ Bill, will also see an extension of after care support from 21 to 26.

TACT’s Director of Children’s Services Scotland, Lesley Stocks said;

“TACT is delighted to see the Scottish Government take this step that will benefit all those in care. TACT has been calling for an extension to the care leaving age and the government deserves credit for taking action. While we appreciate that change cannot take place immediately, we are concerned to see that young people reaching 18 before April 2015 will not benefit. As the Scottish government accepts the need for change, we hope they will provide additional support and funding for this group of young people who will otherwise miss out.’

Read more information on the Scottish Government announcement

The announcement follows a recent decision to allow young people in England to stay in foster care until 21. However it goes further in also applying to young people in residential and kinship care.

TACT fundraises to provide additional support and assistance for young people placed in our care. If you would like to support our work. Visit http://tactcare.org.uk/support-us/ for more information.

Source: tactcare.org.uk/news/tact-comment-following-the-announcement-that-the-care-leaving-age-in-scotland-will-be-raised-to-21/

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