04 Dec 23
Coram Voice is grateful to be supported by the Evening Standard’s Winter Survival Appeal in partnership with Comic Relief. This support will allow us to continue our work with children and young people who are in need over the Christmas period and beyond.
You can read more about how Coram Voice directly support children and young people in care in this video and article from the Evening Standard. In it, Mina (not her real name) shares her story, alongside her advocate Scarlett Cowling, Specialist Advocate for young people aged 16+, who has been supporting her.
Scarlett said, “Young people do not know the law or their rights and that’s where we come in. Some local authorities do all they can to avoid taking a child into care at age 17 because if they are ‘looked after’ for at least 13 weeks before they turn 18, it imposes a financial burden on them under Section 20 to support the child even after they leave care at 18, until the age of 25.”
“So they try to delay until as close to their 18th birthday as possible because that means they take on a much lower burden of care under Section 17 of the Act and only look after the child until they turn 18. In cases of 17-year-olds like Mina, time is of the essence. We work fast. I am glad to say we were successful in getting her looked after with full support under Section 20.”
Brigid Robinson, Managing Director of Coram Voice, said: “Our life-changing interventions help children escape abusive homes and take young people off the streets. Getting them the support they need from social care is vital. It means young people are safe and secure so they can flourish as they move towards adult life.”
If you are a young person needing support, Coram Voice may be able to help. Contact our Advocacy Helpline on 0808 800 5792.