Young people leaving care in England will now be entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment and eye care until their 25th birthday under new government measures aimed at tackling health inequalities.
The Department of health and social care (DHSC) said the support package also includes a pilot scheme offering paid NHS internships for care leavers and a guaranteed interview programme fo NHS jobs. A separate three-year pilot will focus on improving access to mental health services for children in care.
Government figures estimate there were more than 97,000 care leavers aged between 17 and 25 in 2025, although officials believe the true number may be higher.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said young people in care often face the “toughest start in life”, leading to poorer health outcomes and reduced life chances. He said the measures were designed to remove barriers and help care leavers lead healthier and more stable lives.
New safeguarding steps will also be introduced to alert GPs when a young patient is in care, while updated regulations will allow faster sharing of information across health services.
The plans follow recommendations from Josh MacAlister, minister for children, families and wellbeing, who led an independent review of children’s social care.
He described the disadvantage faced by care leavers as a huge social injustice and said the reforms would make a tangible difference.
Under the guaranteed interview scheme, care leavers who meet minimum job criteria will automatically be invited to interviews for NHS roles.
The forthcoming children’s wellbeing and schools bill will place a legal duty on public bodies to consider the needs of children in care and care leavers, while councils will be required to publish clear support plans to help them transition into adulthood.
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