As part of our Lifelong Rights Campaign, we’re publishing a series of issue papers which are linked to the top five issues that Care Experienced people, aged 16 and over, raise with us through independent advocacy.
The second paper focuses on finance and it showed that some Care Experienced people are more likely to be living in poverty, could be facing significant wage gaps and could benefit from better financial education.
Louise Hunter, Chief Executive at Who Cares? Scotland, said:
“Money impacts every aspect of someone’s life – from mental health, relationships, career opportunities to future aspirations. Financial security is not just about the amount someone has in the bank.
“By ensuring we support Care Experienced people to have the best start in their financial independence with the right education, tools and support we can set them up to thrive. But there must also be the safety net when things can go wrong. It’s important for people to be supported into sustainable employment and earn enough to live a life without being in poverty. The ten solutions we put forward in this paper, can be the foundations for providing positive financial support to Care Experienced people no matter their age or situation.”
The paper is based on a variety of sources including an online survey and data from our advocacy work with Care Experienced people who have accessed advocacy in local authorities and through our Helpline.
We have set out ten solutions which include:
- Widening access to mid-market rental schemes to include specific provision for Care Experienced adults.
- Financial education should be made widely available and implemented from the early stages of care.
- Waiving council tax and rent arrears within local authority housing and publicly funded housing associations for Care Experienced individuals over 26 who were unable to access the council tax exemption or benefit from aftercare support.
- The Scottish Welfare Fund should ringfence funding for an emergency fund for Care Experienced adults, with no age cap.
