I haven't written on this blog for a while but that's not to say I'm less frustrated with things, just very busy! Also, I think because I'm now studying to be a Social Worker there's limits to what I should share. But I've never been in denial about anything that's happened to me and for now I shall continue to be that same, honest person who likes to express themselves and share exactly what's on their mind.
This writing today is the outcome of weeks of hard reflection. I've found myself overwhelmed on numerous times. Having flashbacks to when I was homeless and thought I'd never be able to get to where I am now. Sometime I cry out of pure gratitude and disbelief at where I am.
I'd say one of the reasons I've got where I am today is because of my mouth. Sure, I've always been very ambitious and determined but without this big gob of mine I wouldn't have got anywhere. University is a far distance for people like me who have been in residential care. I would even go as far as saying that it's a lot easier for those who lived in long term foster care to get an education but... I know I shouldn't judge.
My experience has been very unique to me. Unlike nowadays, I didn't get a personal adviser when I turned eighteen, I had a barely existent social worker who offered me no help at all. This lack of help meant that even with a job I couldn't afford to go to college anymore at eighteen. I couldn't even afford basic needs like prescriptions because I downright refused to do what they system said and go on benefits.
Anyway, it was when I was homeless at twenty and living in a hostel that the leaving care service came into play. They managed to get me a room to rent at a college over the summer which I'm still very grateful for. However, this was just temporary and they wanted me to go on benefits blah blah which I again, refused and said no, I want to go back into education and eventually do the degree I should have started two years ago.
After doing some research I discovered that other county's pay uni accommodation for care leavers. I made a case and put it forward to my county and eventually got them to agree to pay my accommodation and also all the rent for the other care leavers pursuing education. Unfortunately, to no surprise this didn't last long...
I was quite lucky in that I managed to get a written agreement that they would pay my accommodation for all the years I'm at university. However now for others they are only agreeing to pay for the first year. Now, lot's of people may think :"Oh, that's fine...just get a job". But it's not as simple as that though is it?
Those that have been in care have often been subject to abuse and trauma which has led to ongoing mental health issues. Being a full time student and working ridiculous hours to cover the rent has a huge impact on those already struggling with life. It might be OK for those from other backgrounds but often care leavers have NOTHING. No support system. No family, no friends. To ask them to bend over backwards to be able to merely afford to live at an age when most still live with their parents is going to make them question the meaning of their life and if indeed it is all worth it?
For me personally I worked out that if I had to pay my rent I would have around £20 a week left to live off, WOAAHH. That's obviously not enough. And in my degree we're discouraged from working in the second and third year so what would I have done?
University already feels like a place created for the middle class as it is. Being amongst those who have had a completely different experience to you is hard, often you do feel out of place. UNIVERSITY IS HARD. But, we have a Tory government who want people with degrees, they want people with jobs. If that's the case then why is it almost impossible for those most likely to be NEET to get access to any opportunities?
The government dishes out millions and millions of pounds for these care leavers to be on benefits yet they can't put aside money for those wanting to better themselves and contribute to society? Makes sense.
There's a vicious cycle and when I read the statistics it angers me. 1% of those from residential care go to university. 6% of those with a care background (any form eg foster, residential) go to university. Whereas over a third of those who aren't care leavers end up going to university.
In short, the majority of care leavers at eighteen are helped to get on the housing register, shown how to apply for benefits and then they're dropped in a flash. Do you know why? Because that's what's easy. Professionals have never liked me because I didn't make their job easy. Even now, I've constantly been put down with the decisions I've made like going to university. And I've talked to many who have said the same. I don't think I've ever met one person who has valued the service and the contribution it's made to their life. Weird right??
**sigh**
This isn't an efficient piece of writing and I'm sure the literacy is that of a preschooler however when I need to rant, I need to rant.
DEAR COUNTY COUNCILS PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CARE LEAVERS TO PURSUE EDUCATION.
DEAR GOVERNMENT, PLEASE STOP SAYING HOW SOCIETY'S MOST VULNERABLE NEED HELP AND ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.
DEAR CARE LEAVERS, YOU'RE AMAZING. And I'm sorry that the system is failed you. I'm sorry that you've lost your voice and have had decisions about your life made for you...your agency stripped away.
I hope that in ten years I can look back and see positive changes. Although I'm very skeptical I hope to do that best I can. I hope that the government wakes up and realises how dependent children in care are on them. How the state needs to fulfil it's statutory duty in caring for these children and helping them to reach their full potential.
Thank you to all those who are fighting this battle with me. X
