The Guardian view on the care system: support for teens must go beyond reunions with old friends | Editorial

A new scheme to support care leavers’ relationships is welcome. But loneliness is one problem among many

It might sound obvious that – as Benjamin Zephaniah wrote – “People will always need people / To make life appealing / And give life some meaning.” But the care system has not always behaved as though relationships are a condition of human flourishing. So it is good to see this simple yet crucial idea reflected in the latest announcement about support for care leavers in England. The broken connections that become a feature of too many young people’s lives are increasingly recognised as a key reason for their later vulnerability.

Some local councils already have support in place for young people who want to reconnect with relatives, trusted adults such as former teachers or social workers, and old friends. Last week the government announced a national version, billed as a Who Do You Think You Are?-style service for care leavers, with an initial budget of £8.4m. The hope is that supporting older teenagers to restore links will reduce the risk of isolation and help them to find their feet. While many care leavers already make a successful transition to independent living, they face disproportionate risks of homelessness, poor mental health, prison and even death.

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.