ARU Final Report

Full Report – March 2021 47 “[I]f care leavers are living independently and do not have a good support network that can be very isolating. [A network in the local authority] seems to really help get them out and interact with people whilst still adhering to government guidelines. Iwouldsaytokeeptheprogramgoing, further fundingwould allowmore care leavers to get involved i.e. implementing this inmore areas.” (Q: Female, 20) Accordingly, the recommendations from this research in relation to identity and relationships are: To make the provision of basic technology, including internet connection, a laptop, and a mobile phone, mandatory to enable care leavers to stay connected and engage with education, employment, and services. To facilitate connection for care leavers, with others, for example by helping them to establish support bubbles, innovative use of technology, and face-to-face interaction where appropriate, especially for care leavers living on their own or recently independent. 5.4 To listen to you The intention of this research was to hear from care leavers themselves about their experiences of support during the pandemic and therefore the principle around listening to, respecting, and understanding care leavers is particularly important. Our findings showed that having someone there and feeling able to contact them was crucial in feeling supported during the pandemic. Many of the care leavers in our research did have positive experiences of this, often referring to specific individuals including personal advisors/social workers and support workers from involvement and participation teams or local charities who really made a difference for them during the pandemic. “I’m always contacted to make sure I’m well or need any help.” (Q: Female, 24) “Ensuring that YP are being checked up on, all it needs to be is a text. It makes the world of difference to CLs to know that the LA actually care about them.” (Q: Female, 23) However, othershadnegativeexperiencesof support, or did not receive the support that they needed. This often came down to knowing who to contact and getting a response from them; as many care leavers expressed, just having someone to talk to: “It would have been good if the LA checked in on me to see how my situation had changed.” (Q: Female, 23) “I think more communication as this lockdown is so hard especially with people suffering with mental health issues. Often people feel isolated and alone so think that would be a huge help.” (Q: Female, 24)