PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Accommodation for children in care over the age of 15 (24 February 2022)

That this House notes with grave concern the introduction of secondary legislation by the Department for Education which guarantees care and regulated accommodation to vulnerable looked-after children only to the age of 15; and is further concerned by the disproportionate impact this policy has on boys and children from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; further adds that between 2018 and 2020, 22 children in care aged 16 and 17 died while living in this type of unregulated setting which is devoid of care and consistent adult supervision; further champions the charity Article 39 and the delegation of care experienced people who handed over a 10,700 signature-strong #KeepCaringTo18 petition to Downing Street on this issue; and urgently calls on the Government to change this legislation to ensure all looked after children, no matter what their age, live in accommodation that has carers and provides care.

Sponsored by:
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (Labour)