Care leavers in Camden will now have the same rights as someone experiencing racism, or homophobia in the hope of giving them better life chances.
Campaigner Terry Galloway and author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay shared their experiences of growing up in care in front of Camden Council on Monday (January 29).
They were supporting the council's decision to award those those living in care in the borough ‘protected characteristic’ status.
Those who are in care, who are care leavers, or who have had a past experience of care, will now have the same protection from discrimination as other characteristics under the Equality Act.
The meeting recognised that many care leavers nationally face ongoing stigma, challenges and discrimination across housing, health, education, and employment.
Terry Galloway said by the time he left care he had lived in more than 100 places.
"It was traumatic, I was split up from my siblings who'd been in the care system," he said.
In the end he made a life for himself setting up companies and campaigns.
"I'm doing ok but unfortunately the rest of my family weren't so lucky," he added.
His sister, who had drug and alcohol dependencies, had children who were taken into care.
At a funeral of a friend she'd told him "I don't want to be next" but, he said, "her boyfriend killed her".
Terry's brother's children were also taken into care.
"Care people are 70% more likely to die prematurely than anybody else," he said, adding that they face the "biggest and most disproportionate barriers".
Lemn Sissay is a trustee of the Foundling Museum near Russell Square.
In his speech, he asked: "Why do care experience people have the worst outcomes than any other group in the United Kingdom? Why is it care experience people are 70% more likely to die prematurely? Why is it at least 25% of people that are homeless are care leavers?"
One carer talked about a girl with complex mental health needs including post traumatic stress disorder, who was always engaged with mental health service until that provision ended when she turned 18.
"She waited nearly a year to see a therapist," she added.
The council announced that free Wi-Fi will be provided to all Camden care leavers up until the age of 25.
They will be exempt from council tax, receive priority social housing, grants to to go into higher education and free access to gyms and leisure centres.
Camden Council has also different internships ring-fenced for care leavers aged 16 to 24.
The council is also developing a ‘care experienced panel’ – a safe space for young adults to come together to talk about any issues of concern, offer advice and to share views and experience available in February.
Cllr Marcus Boyland, cabinet member for best start for children and families said treating care leavers as a protected characteristic "will make a huge difference to those who have experienced care in Camden.”
Cllr Nadia Shah, lead member for voluntary sector, equalities and cohesion said: “We are extremely proud of our children in care and those who have experienced care, but we know life is harder for many care leavers who face extra barriers and discrimination.
"By recognising care experience as a protected characteristic in Camden, we can help ensure that no person with care experience is discriminated against and that they have every opportunity to succeed in the future.”
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