Jersey's children's minister has announced plans to increase the budget for the care leavers offer, a program that supports islanders aged 16-25 who were in care at age 16. The offer provides financial assistance for essentials typically covered by a "loving parent," including healthcare, education, driving lessons, and housing support.
In 2022, the care leavers budget was set at £511,000, but actual spending reached £564,635. In 2023, the budget increased to £636,000, with spending soaring to £957,124.
Deputy Inna Gardiner, who served as the children and education minister during much of this time, defended the overspend. She highlighted the importance of filling gaps in the offer, noting that care leavers faced a range of challenges, from needing simple household items like fridge freezers to accessing critical mental health support. Gardiner emphasised that care leavers, lacking family support, rely on the government as their "corporate parent." Spending on their needs, she said, was a top priority.
The current minister for children and families, Constable Richard Vibert, is reviewing the care leavers offer and expects to increase its budget. He acknowledged the program’s recent deficits and stressed the importance of reassessing the offer, which was first introduced in 2020. "We need a fresh look at things," he said, expressing confidence that future plans would show genuine improvements for care leavers.
Carly Glover, head of the advocacy group Jersey Cares, welcomed the budget increase but pointed out the ongoing struggles care leavers face in Jersey. Many end up in homeless hostels or are overrepresented at HMP La Moye. Glover emphasised the need for stable, loving, permanent homes for children in care, in addition to financial support.
"These are people we’ve known for years, lovely individuals who have been systemically dehumanized by the experience of having no one to belong to," she said.