MPs open survey for care leavers to share their experiences of social care

A cross-party Committee has launched a new survey asking care leavers to share their experiences of the care system.

People with lived experience of all ages are encouraged to share their stories about the help they received whilst in care and the types of accommodation they lived in, such as foster care, kinship, residential or adoption.

There are also questions that will help the MPs learn about the types of support young people receive, including for their mental wellbeing, a disability, with their finances or help to find work or education. The Committee wants to hear whether that support was helpful or how it could be improved.

The Education Select Committee is a group of MPs which run inquiries specifically on matters of education and issues affecting young people. The outcomes of these inquiries are public and many require a response from the government. Select committees also carry out their work through correspondence, by engaging with the public through events and surveys, holding round-table discussions and undertaking visits.

Findings will be reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.

Robin Walker MP, Chair of Education Committee, said the findings will help the Committee to make detailed recommendations to the Government on how to improve services.

“My colleagues and I have been receiving detailed evidence from experts and professionals in children’s social care, but our inquiry wouldn’t be complete without hearing from people who have been through the system themselves.

“Whether their first-hand experiences were good or bad, hearing their reflections and their ideas about how to improve the system will be a huge help to us.

“It’s vital that we can be properly informed by the people who really matter – young people the system is designed to help.”

The survey will form part of the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into children’s social care. Survey responses will be anonymised to ensure participants’ safety and their peace of mind.