ARU Executive Summary

4 Care leavers’ experiences of support during the Covid-19 pandemic budgeting and help from family, but others felt let down by services. Those who did receive support talked about food parcels/vouchers and food banks, furlough schemes, free bus passes/tickets, and help with rent, which was hugely appreciated: “The furlough and food voucher schemes helped me try to relax about things that happen. I was very worried about how it would affect my home life. The schemes gave me stability.” (Q: Female, 17) Care leavers in education had mixed experiences of support; some had teachers checking in on them and providing helpwhile others needed much more support and understanding. Similarly, care leavers living with their children had mixed experiences of support. For example, some were able to get a nursery place; however, 68.2% did not receive support with looking after their children during the pandemic despite a clear need: “If someone were to help with ideas of what to do at home that would be good.” (FG: Female, 20) 1.3.2 Mental health and wellbeing While 25% of care leavers reported their mental health andwellbeingwas not very good before the pandemic, this rose significantly to 57% during the pandemic . Thiswas often because of the restrictions leading to social isolation, especially for those with young children or those shielding, and a loss of independence. Formanycare leavers, thepandemic made existing mental health problems worse and set back any progress they had previously made. However, some valued the continued support they received because they were already in the mental health system: “I think for me it had a negative impact on my mental health. I struggled quite badlywithmental health before, then it was like I finally got on track and then lockdown hit so I went back to how I was before.” (FG: Female, 23) Mental health support was received by 44.7% of care leavers , including from family and friends, mental health professionals, and personal advisors/ social workers: “My PA has been very supportive with helping me speak to someone regarding lockdown and my mental health and I couldn’t thank him enough for him going above and beyond to make sure that I am happy :)” (Q: Male, 19) However, some felt that the support they were offered – often medication – was not what they needed: “The most amount of support they could give me in terms of my mental health when I was struggling so much with my children was to speak to the doctors and get medication. That wasn’t the support I was looking for. I was looking to talk to and explain the problem that I’m having with my children.” (FG: Female, 24) Meanwhile, 55.3% of care leavers did not receive anysupportwith theirmental health andwellbeing . Some felt they did not need support, but others faced barriers such as not knowing how to get support: “I did not reach out because I did not know who to reach out to so it would have been helpful to know.” (Q: Female, 23) Manycare leaversdid things themselves tohelp their mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic, such as talking, walking, baking, colouring, online/ video games, listening to or playing music, working or studying, keeping busy and active, keeping a routine, spending time with friends and family, and looking after children: “I kept myself busy with work. But I also did jigsaws, went on walks and stuff, just keeping yourself busy and active, and keep myself in a routine instead of slobbing around…” (FG: Female, ND)