To support young people, who have grown up in care, get going as adults, the government has come up with a slew of health safeguards for care leavers.
They will be provided free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to their 25th birthday, and enhanced job opportunities in the NHS.
Children in care will receive better protection under new safeguards, with GPs being provided with timely alerts if anyone falls sick.
A new regulation will allow for information to be rapidly shared across health services to make sure the right people have the right information at the right time.
Working with the NHS and community services, the reforms aim to tackle deep health inequalities and ensure children in care get adequate support.
Young people in care face the toughest start in life and often lack proper support at 18, leaving them isolated, separated from their families or siblings.
Those who have been in care are at a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Many struggle to access mental and physical health services after leaving care, and supporting them with free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services will help them access healthcare services.
As they are also most likely to be homeless and unemployed, a new pilot to trial paid internships for care leavers in the NHS and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles will improve their job prospects.
To provide mental health support, the government will also trial a three-year pilot to make sure children in care have access to the support they need sooner.
This will involve bringing together social workers and NHS health professionals to provide direct mental health support to children and families when they need it most.
Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister said, "The disadvantage faced by children who’ve grown up in care is a huge social injustice. That’s why we’re taking cross-government action to transform life chances for these children and care leavers."
Health secretary Wes Streeting said, "I am determined to give all children the best start in life, and this boost to healthcare and career opportunities for care leavers is a concrete step towards that goal."
The government has already introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill into Parliament, which will overhaul of children’s social care and try to break down barriers to opportunity.
