Publication of Northern Ireland Care Leavers 2020/21

Date published: 16 February 2022

Care leavers aged 16-18

• there were 332 care leavers aged 16 to 18 in 2020/21.
• some two thirds (67%) of care leavers aged 16 to 18 had GCSEs or other qualifications. The proportion of care leavers who had 5 GCSEs (A*-C) or higher at the time of leaving care was 29%.
• care leavers continue to have a higher proportion of young people with a Statement of Educational Need (20%) compared with the general school population (5%).
• of the care leavers aged 16 to 18 in 2020/21, for whom information was available, 74% were in full time or part time education, training or employment. Some 15% were unemployed and 11% were economically inactive because of caring responsibilities or illness/disabilities.

Care leavers aged 19

• there were 238 care leavers aged 19 in 2020/21.
• some 95% of care leavers aged 19 were in contact with Health and Social Care Trusts; with 74% in contact at least once a month.
• some 67% received some form of ongoing support from social services, including support for higher education and accommodation.
• of the care leavers for whom information was available, 70% were in education, training or employment – a slight decrease from the previous year.
• in terms of becoming a parent, 10% of all care leavers aged 19 were parents, with equal numbers of female and male care leavers aged 19 becoming parents on or before their 19 birthday.