The urgent plea to end the pause on housing priority for care leavers in Scotland has sparked widespread concern over rising rates of homelessness and inadequate living conditions for those transitioning out of care. Recent data has shown a troubling 14% increase in homelessness among adults under 25 who have experienced care in the past two years, highlighting the critical need for immediate action.
Scottish Tory MSP Roz McCall, who has personal experience adopting two siblings nearly two decades ago, has expressed shock at the statistics and joined experts in calling on the Scottish Government to reinstate a 2019 pledge with local councils. This agreement aimed to give priority housing support to young people leaving care, a promise that was put on hold by ministers in October 2022, prompting calls for its reinstatement.
An Oversight Report released by experts last month criticized the lack of progress by the Scottish Government in addressing this issue, citing an absence of a reasonable explanation for the delay. The report highlighted concerns raised by 440 care leavers over the age of 16 between 2021 and 2024, with 37% reporting experiences of homelessness.
Challenges Faced by Care Leavers
In a recent interview with The Herald, MSP Roz McCall emphasized the vulnerability of care-experienced young people who often face immense challenges and trauma. She underscored the importance of targeted support for this demographic, noting that they have been let down by their families, their environment, and the very system meant to protect them. McCall’s plea for leadership and action from the Scottish Government echoed the sentiments of many advocates and experts in the field.
The Promise, a 2020 commitment to ensure that all care-experienced children grow up in a loving and safe environment by 2030, has fallen short of its target according to a recent expert report. The report highlighted systemic barriers preventing care leavers from accessing suitable housing, often leaving them without a voice in where they are placed after leaving care. Many individuals reported being retraumatized by being housed in locations that triggered childhood trauma, further compounding their struggles.
Call for Urgent Reforms
As discussions around a Promise Bill and a Housing Bill continue in Parliament, there is mounting pressure on the Scottish Government to prioritize the needs of care leavers. McCall and the Scottish Tories have proposed amendments to ensure that care leavers are exempt from council tax and receive priority for social housing, calling for swift action to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling through the cracks.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also weighed in on the slow progress, urging ministers to be transparent about the challenges faced in meeting the 2030 target. While some positive steps have been taken, such as student bursaries for care-experienced children and ending the incarceration of minors in certain facilities, there is a collective call for greater commitment and leadership to address the housing crisis affecting care leavers.
In response to these concerns, a Scottish Government spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment to addressing the housing emergency and supporting children in temporary accommodation. Efforts are underway to develop policies linked to the Care Leavers Housing Pathway as part of the broader response to homelessness prevention, underscoring the ongoing focus on this critical issue.
As the plight of care leavers in Scotland continues to be a pressing concern, the need for immediate and comprehensive action to provide stable housing and support for this vulnerable population remains paramount. With calls for leadership, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to fulfilling the Promise made to care-experienced children, there is hope for positive change on the horizon.
