ARU Final Report

Full Report – March 2021 7 losing their job, zero-hour contracts, and difficulties with the furlough scheme or universal credit: “Living on £200 for five weeks is hard when you have rent and bills and food and everything to pay for.” (FG: Female, 18) Some care leavers struggled with moving to independent living: “I moved house during the pandemic and had no one to contact, I didn’t know my PA so couldn’t call to ask for help regarding council tax, or help moving and setting up my new home.” (Q: Female, 20) Many care leavers did not receive support with their finances or practical issues. Some did not need support and were able to manage with careful 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 badly with mental 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 supportivewith 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)