Publication of 'former care leavers in Northern Ireland (2008/09)'

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a statistical bulletin summarising information on young people formerly in the care of Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts, who reached their 19th birthday during the year ending 31st March 2008.

The OC3 survey was carried out by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to determine whether these young people are still in touch with social services around their 19th birthday, and whether their economic activity and living circumstances are such that they are able to participate fully in society.

The statistical bulletin provides information on the economic activity, accommodation, contact with social services, age, gender, and other characteristics of the 201 young people who had been in the care of Heath and Social Care Trusts at 1st April 2006, and who reached their 19th birthday during the year ending 31 March 2009.

The main findings from the 2008/09 survey indicate that HSC Trusts were in contact with 195 (97%) of the 201 former care leavers in Northern Ireland. Of these 201 former care leavers, 52% were known to be in education, training and employment.

Key Facts and Figures

• 201 former care leavers who had been looked after on 1st April 2006 had reached their 19th birthday during 2008/09; of these, 107 (53%) were boys and 94 (47%) were girls.
• Just over one in seven (15%) of these former care leavers were coping with disability; of whom just under two thirds (63%) had a learning disability.
• Just over a quarter (26%) of female former care leavers had become mothers on or before their 19th birthday, 13 percentage points less than the proportion in 2007/08.
• In 2008/09, the average length of time spent in the latest period of care was slightly longer (7 years 4 months) than in 2007/08 (6 years 10 months).
• Trusts were in contact with 195 (97%) of the 201 former care leavers in Northern Ireland, 8 percentage points higher than in 2005/06 (89%).
• Between 2007/08 and 2008/09, the proportion of all former care leavers in education, training or employment increased by 9 percentage points, from 43% in 2007/08 to 52% in 2008/09. However, this is similar to the proportion in 2005/06 (53%).
• Of those with whom Trusts had contact and for whom economic activity was known (188), 56% were in education, training or employment, 9 percentage points more than 2007/08 (47%), but 5 percentage points less than in 2005/06 (61%).
• Young men and young women differed in the types of accommodation in which they were most likely to be living; with a higher proportion (35%) of young women than young men (25%) living in independent accommodation. In contrast, 35% of young men were living with parents, relatives or friends, compared with 23% of young women.

Notes to editors:

1. All publications are available online.

2. About the data:

• The source of the data contained in this release is the Departmental OC3 statistical return, collected from HSC Trusts on an annual basis.
• Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 30th November 2009.

3. This statistical bulletin was produced by Community Information Branch, DHSSPS.

Further information is available from:

Community Information Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Room 11, Annexe 2,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont Belfast BT4 3SP

Tel: (028) 90 522493

Fax: (028) 90 523288

E-mail:

Internet:

4. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.