Care in Crisis: Actress Sam Morton talks to Sky News about growing up in care

Key Concepts

• Care Cliff: The point at which young people in care turn 18 and lose their support system, often leading to homelessness and lack of resources.
• Corporate Parents: Local authorities or councils responsible for the care and well-being of children in the care system.
• Semi-independent Property: Accommodation provided for young people in care, often with some level of supervision.
• Pathway Planning: The process of preparing young people in care for independence, including housing, education, and employment.
• YTS (Youth Training Scheme): A government program in the UK offering vocational training and work experience.
• Offstead: The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, responsible for inspecting and regulating services in England.

The Care Cliff: A Crisis for Young People Leaving Care

This discussion highlights the severe challenges faced by young people transitioning out of the care system, a phenomenon often referred to as the "care cliff." The experiences shared by Fay, Precious, and Samantha Morton reveal a systemic failure to adequately support these vulnerable individuals, leading to homelessness, financial hardship, and a lack of basic necessities.

Fay's Experience: Homelessness and the Hotel Dilemma

Fay, who entered care at 15 and left at 18, described her terrifying experience of becoming homeless. She stated, "nobody prepares you for the reality." Upon turning 18, she was informed she would be moved to a hotel in Bradford. While grateful for the hotel room, she emphasized that this was her only support: "I had a bed, I had a shower, and I had clean towels, and that was it. I didn't have any, you know, food."

• Financial Hardship: Fay had to choose between buying food and essential clothing, as she lacked access to a washing machine and couldn't afford to pay for one. She recounted having to decide, "am I going to buy this or am I going to get myself food."
• Comparison to Prison: Fay drew a stark comparison between the treatment of care leavers and prisoners, arguing that "prisoners were treated better than carelevers." She explained that prisoners receive accommodation, three meals a day, and their clothing is washed, along with opportunities for training and education, which care leavers are denied despite having "done nothing wrong."

Precious's Fears: The Looming Uncertainty

Precious, currently 16 and still in care, expressed significant anxiety about her future as she approaches 18. She finds it "really scary to know that once you're 18, like there's still lack of support for carelevers." She feels that once they turn 18, they are "done. You're gone. You got no support to help you find an independent home or anything."

• Impact of Statistics: Precious acknowledged that statistics indicating care leavers are more likely to become homeless amplify her worry, making the abstract threat a "reality because obviously these stories of people and things that we just don't get supported on."
• Delayed Support: Precious also highlighted issues with pathway planning. While theoretically, young people are supposed to receive support with pathway planning from personal assistants (PAs) at 16, the rules have changed to 17. This delay means she feels "kind of unprepared" as she is even closer to the age of leaving care. She noted that while plans are put in place, "most of the time it doesn't get done until you're, you know, gone out of the system" due to workload issues.

Samantha Morton's Perspective: Decades of Stagnation

Samantha Morton, a BAFTA winner and Oscar-nominated actor, shared her personal experience of leaving care in the 1990s, emphasizing that the issues are not new and have persisted for decades. She stated, "I don't think things have changed at all ever. I think they they're getting worse and worse and worse."

• Early Exit and Lack of Privacy: Morton was in care from birth until 16, at which point she was "kicked out onto the streets." She recalled that in children's homes, staff had access to rooms with keys, leading to a lack of privacy. She referenced the "Nottinghamshire inquiries into serious sexual abuse that happened in Nottinghamshire children's homes," where she lived.
• Exposure to Abuse: Morton believes that leaving care can make young people "even more exposed to the abuse that you've already been through."
• Career Aspirations vs. Systemic Barriers: Morton recounted her desire to pursue acting. Despite support from her senior social worker, she was advised to continue with "YTS hairdressing." She credits Ian Smith from Central Workshop for recognizing her potential and helping her secure an audition for the Royal Court Theatre. This led to her sleeping rough at St. Pancras before receiving wages from the play. She was never offered guidance on council or housing association lists.
• Financial Waste: Morton expressed anger that "things are not getting any better." She questioned the allocation of taxpayer money, stating, "it's a waste of money if the if the young people that were meant to be caring for we are not caring for."

Financial Implications and Systemic Failures

The discussion touched upon the significant financial investment in children's social care and the perceived lack of return.

• Treasury Figures: According to the Treasury, £14.1 billion is spent annually on children's social care, with a 10% increase year-on-year for the past five to six years.
• Ineffective Spending: The panel argued that this money is being "wrongly spent" if young people are not receiving adequate support. The similarity between Fay's and Morton's experiences, despite the passage of time, underscores the systemic failures.
• Broken System: The system is described as "broken and it's not fit for purpose," with councils being "cash-strapped" and "held to ransom by these private companies."
• Offstead Concerns: The effectiveness of Offstead inspections for private care homes was questioned, as they occur only every three years, allowing for potential exploitation. The example of Nottinghamshire, which previously had independent units for young people leaving care and now lacks them, was cited.

Calls for Reform and International Models

The panel concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for radical reform and looking to international models for solutions.

• Need for Change: There is a strong consensus that the current system is inadequate, especially for young people with trauma, those on the spectrum, or those not in education or employment.
• Hope in Other Countries: Morton expressed hope, stating, "it is better in other places. So, we need to look at those models in other countries."
• Listening to Professionals and Young People: The importance of listening to the voices of care workers and social workers, who are "crying out for change," and young people themselves, who are also "crying out for change," was stressed.

Conclusion

The YouTube transcript powerfully illustrates the ongoing crisis faced by young people leaving the care system. The "care cliff" remains a significant barrier, leading to homelessness and hardship, despite substantial public spending on social care. The experiences of Fay and Samantha Morton, separated by decades, highlight a disturbing lack of progress. Precious's anxieties reflect the fear and uncertainty that pervades the lives of those approaching this critical transition. The panel advocates for a radical overhaul of the system, urging policymakers to learn from international best practices and, crucially, to listen to the lived experiences of young people and the professionals who support them.