Published on
1 September 2017
This report looks at the mental health needs of care leavers and what could be done to better support them. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative research done with Barnardo’s services, the report provides a picture of the mental health needs of this vulnerable group and the extent to which these are being adequately met.
The research found that:
- 46% of the Barnardo’s care leaver cases which were reviewed as part of this research involved young people who in the opinion of the personal adviser had mental health needs.
- 1 in 4 of the case files involved a young person who had faced a mental health crisis since leaving care.
- 65% of young people whom workers identified as having mental health needs were not currently receiving any statutory service.
Focus group discussions with those experienced with supporting care leavers revealed those supporting this vulnerable population often do not have sufficient understanding of mental health and how to support young people. The mental health services which are available are also frequently too inflexible to meet the specific needs of care leavers.
