The Department of Health today published a statistical bulletin summarising information on care leavers aged 16-18 in Northern Ireland and care leavers whose 19 birthday occurred during the year ending 31 March 2021.
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.
Notes to editors:
- All publications are available online
- About the data: The source of the data contained in this release is the Departmental OC1 and OC3 statistical returns, collected from HSC Trusts on an annual basis.
- This statistical bulletin was produced by Community Information Branch, DoH.
- Further information is available from:
Community Information Branch
Department of Health,
Room 11, Annexe 2,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont Belfast BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 90 522580
E-mail: cib@health-ni.gov.uk
Internet: www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/dhssps-statistics-and-research-social-services/social-care-statistics
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