Care Leaver Payment: consultation analysis

12 Engagement sessions

12.1 As noted in Chapter 2 (see paragraphs 2.10–2.12), six engagement sessions were held during the period of the consultation. Four were online and two (facilitated by Inside Out and Youth Just Us) were face-to-face. The online sessions covered a slightly different set of topics than the face-to-face sessions. This chapter provides an overview of the views expressed, first discussing the online sessions, then the findings from the face-to-face discussions.

Online engagement sessions

12.2 The issues discussed at the online sessions covered (i) eligibility criteria, (ii) the payment amount, (iii) requirement for support, and (iv) impacts of the payment. Each of these is discussed below. The section concludes with a summary of other points and queries raised during these sessions.

Eligibility criteria

12.3 It was thought that providing a mechanism and clear criteria for assessing eligibility for the payment was a challenge. One participant likened this to the challenge of providing clear criteria for the provision of Throughcare and Aftercare and said that there was a widespread lack of understanding about the eligibility criteria for these services.

12.4 A range of queries about eligibility for the Care Leaver Payment were raised as follows:

• Who will decide whether the young person will be eligible for the payment? Will it be the social worker?
• Will children and young people held under Section 25 orders in residential schools be eligible for the payment?
• Would a young person from England but looked after by a Scottish local authority be eligible for the payment?
• Will the amount of time spent in care be taken into account when deciding on eligibility for the payment?

Payment amount

12.5 Participants discussed the various leaving care grants that were currently available within their local areas. The amounts discussed varied between £1,800 and £3,500.

12.6 Although the Care Leaver Payment was welcomed, £2,000 as a lump sum one-off payment was not viewed as enough for a young person leaving care and moving into their own accommodation to make a cosy and comfortable home. This was particularly the case given the recent cost of living crisis, and the need to ensure that the payment amount increased in line with inflation.

12.7 It was noted that young people leaving care might need additional funds in the months and years following their move into independent living. One participant said they would be continuing to advocate for a (universal) basic income for care leavers.

Requirement for support

12.8 Participants emphasised the importance of having a tailored and flexible approach to supporting young people who apply for / receive the payment. The support would have to be personalised and recognise that every individual has a unique set of experiences and needs. There was a wide age range to whom the payment could apply (16-25). It was particularly noted that intensive support might be required especially for those at the younger end of the age spectrum who would not have the skills to manage such a large payment.

Impacts

12.9 Participants in the engagement sessions identified both positive and negative (potential) impacts of the payment.

12.10 Positive (potential) impacts included that the payment could provide financial stability, help care leavers to plan their future, ease the emotional stress, provide reassurance at a time of change, and assist care leavers to develop their independence. The payment would be helpful for care leavers who were setting up home on their own for the first time.

12.11 However, (potential) negative impacts were also identified. These related to (i) the stress of the application process (the individual would require support at this stage), (ii) the possible lack of emotional maturity of some of those receiving the payment (especially, the younger ones), (iii) the risks that the young people would not spend the money wisely, (iv) the possibility that young people could be exploited by others who knew they had received a lump sum, and (v) the possibility that the payment would act as an incentive for young people to leave care ‘too soon’.

Other issues

12.12 A range of other issues were raised by participants in the online engagement sessions including that:

• Local authorities are currently working under a lot of pressure and may not have the resources to support young people to the extent required.
• The payment should be made an entitlement – the young person should not be required to make an application.
• This Care Leaver Payment should not result in the reduction or withdrawal of other financial support which might be available to young people with care experience.
• It is not clear how care leavers will be able to find suitable housing when they leave care.
• More details are required about what governance arrangements will be put in place and how the delivery of the payment will be coordinated.

Face-to-face sessions

12.13 The discussions facilitated by Inside Out and Youth Just Us – unlike the online sessions – did not focus on (potential) impacts of the payment. The other topics – eligibility, payment amount, and requirement for support – were covered. In addition, these engagement sessions focused on (i) the name of the payment, (ii) who should deliver the payment, and (iii) what the money should be spent on. Each of these topics is covered briefly below. The section concludes with a summary of other points and queries raised during these sessions.

Eligibility

12.14 The discussion in face-to-face sessions particularly focused on whether those who had left care before the age of 16 would be eligible for the payment. It was thought to be unfair for someone to be denied the payment when they have been looked after for most of their childhood, just because they left care before they were 16.

12.15 A question was raised about whether the payment would be available to those who are currently eligible – but who will not be eligible by the time the payment ‘goes live’.

Amount of payment

12.16 Similar to the online sessions, participants in the face-to-face sessions thought that the payment should be higher than suggested – a sum of £3,500–£4,000 was thought to be suitable. In addition, it was thought that those receiving the payment should be able to choose whether this was paid as a lump sum, or in (weekly or monthly) instalments.

Requirement for support

12.17 The participants discussed the importance of having someone they trusted to support them throughout the process. This individual could advise the young person what they should spend the money on, and also on any other financial entitlements they might have. In addition, they would also ensure that the individual would not be disadvantaged given their inability to access the internet whilst in some institutions such as HMPYOI Polmont.

12.18 More generally, there was discussion about the requirement for advice and support following release from prison. There were thought to be inconsistencies in the advice provided in relation to financial entitlements on release for young people who were previously in care. There was also discussion about the need for support to find employment and housing.

Name of the payment

12.19 The participants did not support the name ‘Care Leaver Payment’. They thought this was stigmatising and could be seen as a ‘pay-off’ from care. Alternative suggestions for the name were ‘Youth Fund’, ‘Moving On Grant’, or ‘Moving Free Grant’.

Delivery of the payment

12.20 The participants suggested that Social Security Scotland (SSS), or Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare (STAF) would be good vehicles for delivering the payment. The argument made in favour of using SSS was that it was a national organisation, which would give confidence that everyone entitled to the payment would receive it. The argument made in favour of using STAF was that this would allow recipients to feel that it was out of the hands of local authorities.

12.21 It was suggested that the payment could either be made into a personal bank account or into a credit union account. This would best be done as the young person was leaving or had left care (not beforehand).

What should the payment be spent on?

12.22 The participants thought that the payment should not be used for essentials which are already covered by existing support schemes. Rather, it should be spent on other items such as driving lessons, buying a car, travel, a holiday, clothes, or ‘to buy nice things for your first home’.

12.23 One group said they were concerned that people receiving the payment might be required to submit receipts. This was not supported by the group, who thought this might pressure people into buying ‘essential’ goods which should be covered separately by the local authority.

Other issues

12.24 As with the participants in the online sessions, it was suggested by participants in the face-to-face sessions that (i) receipt of the payment should be automated – and there should therefore not be an application process, (ii) the payment should not affect in any way the other financial support which care leavers are entitled to, and (iii) those aged 16–18 were perhaps too young to be receiving the payment, and might not spend the money wisely.