Council video for Care Leavers Week
Dudley Council’s cabinet member for children and young people has praised care leavers from across Dudley borough for their strength and resilience in a special video released for National Care Leavers Week.
Running from today (26 October) to 1 November, National Care Leavers Week showcases and celebrates care leavers across the UK.
The UK has approximately 99,000 children in care and each year over 10,000 young people leave care and become care leavers.
Dudley Council’s video highlights the astounding achievements and hard work of the 360 young care leavers in Dudley borough, aged between 16 and 25.
Care leavers become fully independent from the care system at 18 but they are provided with a range on ongoing support until they turn 25. The council provides all care leavers with a special guide, which enables them to understand services and access support.
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:
I would like to wish all our care leavers an amazing week, as together we celebrate this time and all that they have achieved so far.
2020 has been a particularly challenging year, with COVID and exams being disrupted, but our young people have shown enormous strength and I have every confidence they will continue to prosper.