Care leavers in London offered city-wide discounts

Young people who have been in care in London can now get free prescriptions, discounted travel and housing support as part of the Pan London Care Leavers Compact, a city-wide support offer launching today. 

Its purpose is to increase the consistency and quality of support offered to London’s care leavers.

London boroughs, NHS London region and Integrated Care Boards, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) are working together to deliver the Compact.

By providing funding for concessions that support London’s care leavers, these organisations aim to help young people leaving care have a smoother path to independence.

The Compact includes free prescriptions, half price bus and tram travel, access to healthcare training, and increased housing support. The latter may consist of council tax exemption, priority housing status, rent deposit schemes, and joint working agreements between children's services and housing teams. 

Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport said: “Leaving care can be extremely challenging and daunting for young adults who can feel unprepared for the transition to independent living. Many care leavers lack the resources needed to continue training or gain meaningful employment once they’ve left care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship."

He said he hopes the discounted travel rates "will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.”

Care leavers are young people who have previously been children in the care of their local authority. London is home to around 15,000 to 16,000 18-25 year old young people who have been in care. 

Children come into local authority care for a variety of reasons but will often have experienced significant trauma, the breakdown of family relationships and a range of challenges and disadvantages.

Care leavers across the capital are receiving information about the Pan London Care Leavers Compact from their Personal Advisor at their London borough, who will assist them to access the relevant concessions.

Louise Foyle from the Pan London Children in Care Council said by "prioritising access to a consistent quality of life, the Pan London offer empowers care leavers to thrive independently and pursue their aspirations with confidence, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment."