Care leavers will now receive free NHS dental care, prescriptions and eye care up to the age of 25 as part of a new package of government changes.
The government said care leavers often lack support after the age of 18, leaving them ‘isolated, separated from their families or siblings, and struggling to get going as young adults’. The new measures aim to reduce the inequalities and barriers to opportunity this causes.
For example, the government found that many adults leaving care face barriers to accessing health services, with one quarter not told how to get health support, including registering with a dentist.
It also said that care leavers have a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD, and a higher chance of homelessness and unemployment.
‘Break down those barriers to stop care leavers being held back’
In addition to extended access to free health services, care leavers will receive additional career support linked to the NHS. This will include a pilot scheme to trial paid internships for care leavers and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Those in care face the toughest start in life and as a result suffer from a barrage of health inequalities, hampering their chances of going on to lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life.
‘I’m proud that this government and the work Josh MacAlister did in my department will help break down those barriers to stop care leavers being held back.
‘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.’
Entitlement versus access
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: ‘This is about dignity as much as dentistry. Extending free dental care to 25 is a hugely positive step for young people leaving care, many of whom have grown up facing real barriers to accessing dental services at a critical time in their lives.
‘It removes a barrier that never should have existed and recognises the heightened risk of poor oral health among care leavers. The priority now is making sure this commitment translates into real access on the ground, so every eligible young person can actually secure the care they need as they build independent lives.’
The British Dental Association (BDA) also ‘strongly supported’ the move to extend the cutoff for free dental care for care leavers. However, it said this would be an ’empty gesture’ without action to improve access to NHS dental services.
The association made a comparison to those who are pregnant, who are currently entitled to free dental care but often struggle to access NHS dentistry nonetheless due to a lack of available appointments.
BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘Extending exemptions to young people leaving the care system makes perfect sense. Charges remain a tangible barrier to vulnerable patients, encouraging millions to delay or avoid care. But to ensure this isn’t an empty gesture government must ensure they can actually get an appointment.’
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