ARU Final Report

Full Report – March 2021 23 “Once I sat down and started talking about my money – because I’ve always had issues with budgeting even before the pandemic. I would say I’m in a pretty stable situation now with the PIP payments, where I don’t really have to worry that much, that once I’ve paid all my bills I won’t have money left to buy the stuff I need.” (FG: Male, 22) “For the most part I was alright, I was managing things, I did obviously struggle… but I got so lucky, my mum helps me out. I did say to my social worker said I already had help, but she would have helped me. I got pretty lucky with all that.” (FG: Male, 18) Indeed, 54.3% of questionnaire respondents did not receivesupportwith theirfinances and73.1%didnot receive support with their accommodation (though as mentioned, support was not always needed). This is also reflected in the literature by care leavers in the research from Roberts et al. (2020), where some were frustrated at the lack of practical help, such as helpwith food, gas and electric, which had a negative impact on their mental health despite the emotional support available. Care leavers in our research made suggestions about the support that would be useful, including food parcels/vouchers, access to food banks, financial assistance with travel, or help with their rent, demonstrating that the support that was in place for some care leavers needs to be extended to all: “An option for food vouchers or information on where people can receive help if needed.” (Q: Female, 24) “Help with transport to hospitals and appointments would have been great as I have quite a few and costs a lot in taxis.” (Q: Female, 24) “I pay £100 a month just on transport alone, so a bus pass would be relieving and take my mind off my finances.” (Q: Male, 20) “Help from leaving care would have been good. I actually also work as a sessional worker and I’m on a zero-hour contract so rely on getting hours to be paid. I feel they could have done more to help as there was no work available during the pandemic and almost a year on there’s still no opportunities.” (Q: Female, 22) “I believe that there should of been some sort of food parcel during isolation periods. When you are working and then receiving low income and deem it to be harder to then provide when you was on track with money. But to be told you’re not entitled to have anything during isolation period I believe I was let down.” (Q: Female, 23) 4.1.4 Support with education The questionnaire also asked about education, and 44.1% of respondents indicated that receiving support with their education was applicable to them. Of these respondents, 56.1% said they received support with their education while 43.9% did not . Support included being given a laptop, help and encouragement in applying for education courses, and support from teachers both with work and checking they were okay during the pandemic: “Some support from a tutor. Support when applying for my course and encouragement.” (Q: Female, 20) “I received a laptop from the leaving care team.” (Q: Male, 20) “I was talking to the youth education worker about online courses.” (Q: Female, 21) Education was considered a protective factor for some looked after children and young people as well as care leavers during the lockdown periods, because it gave them a focus at these time (Essex Involvement Team, 2020; Roberts et al., 2020). Some described a better routine at home around learning and reported that they did not miss the commute everyday (Essex Involvement Team, 2020).