Today I read an article titled 'Children in care let down for too long' says David Cameron'.
The article starts by saying:
Writing in the Sunday Times, the PM promised "zero tolerance" of state failure around social care and a new covenant for those leaving care.
Upon reading this introduction I was obviously intrigued to carry on. The fact that the government have finally actually put a thought into the social care system provided me with hope. The acknowledgement that the government has failed us as parents provides me with some content.
He has said: Instead of "rigid rules and processes", social workers will be allowed to use their "experience and common sense to make good judgements". The reason that this is so important is because children in care all so very different and a lot of them very traumatized. Making a certain set of rules applicable for every child in the system can cause a lot of unnecessary distress as every situation is different and needs a different approach from someone with good judgement and knowledge of the circumstances.
With regards to care leavers such as myself, Cameron has pledged to give more support introducing a 'care leavers covenant'. This means that care leavers with clearly know what help they can get from local authorities. He has also said that up to the age of 25 care leavers will receive a mentor who will give them more personalised help.
Obviously this news is very promising however I really hope that Cameron doesn't fall through. Although the government has the power to change laws, make new laws etc essentially it is local authorities that then use them. I don't know about every county but certainly the county I am in is in vast need of improvement when it comes to support for care leavers.
Care leavers have a support worker/ personal advisor. Their job is provide care leavers with guidance and advice helping them to become independent. Care leavers get one of these when they turn eighteen instead of social worker. As often those previously looked after by the authorities have no family they are completely on their own when they turn eighteen hence why they have a PA. Most people still live at home when they are eighteen.
The problem I have is that I don't feel that these workers are getting the correct training. Now I can only speak from my experience but the team I'm under is severely understaffed. Each worker has a bout fifteen or so young people to work with. This means that time is very limited and individual needs get forgotten and devalued. Lots of care leavers don't bother because they don't have the support. They go on benefits and live a simple life which suits support workers. If you push yourself like I have it seems more of an effort for workers and like they almost wish you weren't achieving.
What these PA's really don't understand is mental health. It's like they expect all young people to be a certain way. They forgot that lots of us have been abused. Lots of us have gone through trauma. Lots of us now have severe mental health problems which they aren't helping with. They're job is to make us independent but they don't seem to get that mental health can cause a strain on this. The stress I've had because of my illness mixed with the lack of knowledge from these workers has been draining. I've not known what to do half the time. The service manager is teaching his team in the wrong way. Teaching staff to work with us like we are the lower members of society. Just making sure that we are alive. Not caring what we do. Where we go.
Although I've gone slightly off topic, it's all relevant. David Cameron wants to improve the lives of care leavers? Then, there's a lot to do. These changes aren't a one man job, the whole system needs a make over and I really hope the government manage to be consistent with what they are going to do.
Here's the original article I read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36295213
