The Pan London Care Leavers Compact is a partnership between the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS), Lambeth Council, and the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA). Following a recommendation from the Pan London Care Leavers Compact, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has introduced a new travel concession for care experienced young people. Those aged 18 to 25 can now apply for a 50 percent discount on their bus and tram travel.
Transport costs are a large burden for care experienced young people and can sometimes be a barrier to securing and sustaining education and employment, as well as accessing services for their wellbeing. Visiting friends, family and others can also be essential to building and maintaining relationships, which is crucial to the wellbeing of the care experienced community.
As well as discounted travel, Southeast London care experienced young people from London Borough of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark services, are also entitled to free prescriptions, unless they are already eligible. Care experienced young people can either self-refer or their named Personal Advisor, Named Nurse/Community Paediatrician or Adult Disability Team can apply on their behalf.
Councillor Ben Kind, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “We’re absolutely thrilled Lambeth Council has been able to have played such a significant role in securing these fantastic benefits for our care experienced young people. Being part of the Pan London Care Leavers Compact is a real honour for us, as it allows us to make a tangible difference for such an important group in our borough.
“We really value our care experienced community in Lambeth – having already taken the decision to treat care experience as an additional consideration alongside the protected characteristics as set out under the Equality Act. We look forward to continuing to find even more ways to make their lives even better.”
Lambeth care experienced young people have been contacted individually by their Personal Advisors to inform them of these new benefits. Information has also been included in the monthly care leavers newsletter and on Lambeth’s website.
Key delivery partners of the Pan London Care Leavers Compact include the London Children in Care Council, Partnership for Young London, and the GLA.
To learn more please visit the London Improvement and Innovation Alliance website.
