Care leavers should get better help says Portsmouth MP

Mrs Drummond told MPs in a debate on the Homelessness Reduction Bill that the state should be taking ‘a parental role’ to give more support to often vulnerable young people who have left care.

She said: ‘Many parents, myself included, have children in their 20s who are still living at home.

‘The state ought to do the same for care leavers.

‘Care leavers should also be supported to move outside their local area if seeking work or educational opportunities.

‘Those vulnerable young people need support wherever they go and live. We know that they face many risks, and we can do something to reduce one of those risks with the Bill.’

Speaking afterwards, she said young people who were not care leavers found it difficult enough to leave home and find jobs and accommodation.