Taking Responsibility for the Provision of Financial, Housing, and Emotional Support for Young People Leaving Care

Abstract

This article explores the financial, housing, and emotional support provided to 16–19 year old care leavers, studying in further education in England. Drawing on 28 interviews with social workers and further education college professionals the article discusses the accessibility of existing provision in England, with a particular focus on the relationships and collaborative working practices between further education professionals and social work teams. The article argues that despite the individual commitment of further education professionals, the level of support they provide is, in the main, sketchy, reactive, and under-resourced. Given the significant austerity measures implemented by the Conservative–Liberal Coalition government, it is now all the more important for both education and social services to adopt a more collaborative interagency approach in order for them to address the complex problems experienced by care leavers studying in further education.