This Charter lists the promises that care leavers want the central and local governments to make. According to the Charter, promises and principles help in decision making but do not replace laws; rather, they give guidance to show how laws are designed to be interpreted. The key principles in this Charter remain constant through changes in Legislation, Regulation and Guidance. Care leavers urge local authorities to use these principles when they make decisions about young people’s lives. The Charter for Care Leavers is designed to raise expectations, aspirations and understanding of what care leavers need and what the government and local authorities should do to be good “Corporate Parents.”
The promises local authorities should make to care leavers, by the Charter’s request, include: to respect and honor the identity of care leavers, to believe in and listen to care leavers, to keep care leavers informed, to support them, to find them a home, and to be a lifelong champion for all care leavers.
©The Care Leavers Foundation, Crown Copyright 2012
