Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield met young care leavers, supported by Barnardo’s who have been sharing powerful stories of being in care- with the help of some unusual footwear. They have recorded their life stories and decorated pairs of white gym shoes to reflect their experiences in a project aimed at raising awareness of the hurdles care leavers can face. 

 Children who grow up in care often do less well in school than those who don’t, have poorer mental health and employment opportunities and are more likely to be homeless. 

Toby attended a special exhibition for MPs, “Walk a Day in Our Shoes: Not One Size Fits All!”, in which a group of care experienced young people supported by Barnardo’s took some of their shoes and life histories to Westminster. 

There are currently around 80,000 children in care in England. Most children who enter care do so because they are at risk of abuse or neglect at home but it can impact them throughout their life. Research shows that 41% of care experienced 19 to 21-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. Nearly half have a mental health issue and it is estimated that 25% of homeless people have been in care at some point in their lives.
The aim of the shoes project is to help MPs and the public understand that every young person leaving care is unique, each on a journey shaped by their experiences good and bad. 

The number of children in care could rise to 95,000 by 2025, up from 69,000 in 2015: a 36% increase. This could mean councils’ spending on children in care rising from £3.8bn in 2015 to £7.4bn in 2025. As a proportion of their children and family budgets, spending on children in care could rise to 59% of their total by the middle of the decade, up from 42% in 2015. 

The number of children and young people in care in Derbyshire has increased from 38 per 10,000 children and young people in 2015 to 58 per 10,000 children and young people in 2021.   

Toby stated:   

“I am very grateful to the young people who came to Parliament today for sharing their unique lived experiences of the care system. It is vital to hear such voices during the coming months as the Government seeks to respond to the Care Review.  

 “If there are any care leavers in Chesterfield who need my help they should get in touch.”