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Written question asked by Rachael Maskell (Labour) on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2025. It was answered by Janet Daby (Labour) on Friday, 13 June 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Children in Care: Discrimination

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making care experience a protected characteristic.

Answer

The department is committed to tackling stigma and discrimination faced by care-experienced children and young people. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce corporate parenting responsibilities for government departments and other relevant public bodies. This will ensure corporate parents are aware of issues that could negatively impact on children in care and care leavers.

The leaving care grant for care leavers was increased from £2,000 to £3,000 from April 2023.

To support them to engage in education, employment, and training, care leavers are entitled to a £3,000 bursary for apprenticeships and a £2,000 bursary for university. They are also prioritised for the 16-19 bursary in further education.

Over 600 businesses, including John Lewis, Sky, and Amazon, have signed the department’s care leaver covenant, offering employment and training opportunities. The government's civil service care leaver internship scheme has provided over 1,000 paid jobs across government. Care leavers who access Staying Close will receive support to engage in education, employment and training.

The government currently has no plans to extend support to care leavers to age 30.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
57646
Session
2024-26
Related items
Carers: Equality
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Children in care Discrimination
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk