Only 54 per cent of care leavers are in work or education and the number coming into care is growing, statistics described as 'awful'.
The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met on March 28 to discuss performance data which made for worrying reading for Coun Gena Merrett, vice chair of the committee. The members in Wigan Town Hall’s council chamber were shocked to learn that The percentage of care leavers aged 19-21 who are in education, employment or training has risen slightly in the last quarter from 52.7 per cent to 54.4 per cent.
A care leaver is categorised as anyone who has spent time under the care of the local authority during their youth.