Campaign success as Leaving Care Grant from young people in Bexley increased (From This Is Local London)

Campaign success as Leaving Care Grant from young people in Bexley increased

4:11pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Where I Live By Jim Palmer

YOUNG people leaving care will have more money to set themselves up a home thanks to a successful campaign by Looked After Children in Bexley.

The youngsters, among Bexley’s 241 looked-after children, lobbied Bexley Council and saw their Leaving Care grant – to set them up in homes and buy things like carpets and curtains - boosted from £1,500 to £2,000.

Twenty-one-year-old Kurt Kingswood left care in 2010 and now studies Health and Social Care at Bexley College.

He said: “I fought for the increase, not to benefit me but to help all the Bexley young people who are leaving care now. £1,500 simply isn't enough to furnish a property when you have to start from scratch."

Vice-Chairman of Bexley's Corporate Parenting Forum, Councillor James Hunt said he was impressed by the young people’s campaigning.

He said: “Most people assume that our parents will help us on our way when we leave home. It is only right that as Corporate Parents we do the best we can for our Looked After Children.”