24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
SNP 'failing' to keep care leavers out of temporary housing
But a recent report revealed ministers were on course to miss the flagship target.
Now, figures obtained by The Herald through freedom of information (FOI) requests, shows that 1,049 adults leaving the care system in 2024 were placed in temporary accommodation.
These figures only cover 23 of Scotland's 32 local authorities, meaning the scale of the problem could be far higher.
WhoCares? Scotland told The Herald its helpline is inundated with housing support requests, while 440 care leavers over the age of 16 raised concern between 2021 and 2024, while 37% were homeless.
It comes as the Scottish Government unveils new legislative plans to help meet The Promise.
However, it fails to remove the 2022 pause on prioritising social housing for care leavers.
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Scottish Tory MSP Roz McCall told The Herald: "This data lays bare the Scottish Government's failure to uphold its most basic duty to care-experienced young people: to ensure they have a safe and secure home.
"Temporary accommodation is not a long-term solution, and the scale of the crisis is deeply alarming.
"Behind every number is a young person who's been through the care system and is now being let down again.
"Ministers talk about Keeping the Promise, but these figures show a government that is still not listening."
"We cannot let this fall through the cracks," Ms McCall, who is a Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, added.
"If the Government is serious about changing outcomes, we need proper accountability, consistent data, and a national housing guarantee for care-experienced adults."
The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) Bill proposes extending the aftercare support currently available for 16 to 26-year-olds who were in care on their 16th birthday to those who had left care beyond that point.
It aims to introduce smoother transitions between children's and adult services.
The recording of care leavers in temporary accommodation varies widely across local government, with the charity warning The Promise cannot be met unless the true scale of the problem is known.
Edinburgh and Glasgow had the highest number of care leavers in temporary accommodation, with 131 and 142 respectively.
However areas like Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, West Lothian and Ayrshire also recorded high levels.
The figures in these areas could also be higher as local authorities either do not ask the question on housing applications, or the care leaver does not declare it.
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Louise Hunter, chief executive of WhoCares? Scotland, said: 'Everyone deserves a safe, secure home – a foundation that allows them to build a life, feel connected, and plan for their future.
'But this data shows that too many care experienced people are being placed in temporary accommodation, facing instability and uncertainty.
'Housing is consistently one of our top advocacy issues that we support care experienced people aged 16 and over with.
'But behind each number is a person who has experienced care and is now being let down by a system that should protect them.
'If Scotland is serious about Keeping the Promise, we must recognise that a stable home is not a privilege, it is a right.'
The charity heard care leavers are often not given any say on their housing placement, with one reporting she was forced to take a flat on the same street her father was murdered.
In February, the oversight board - a group created to monitor progress to meeting the promise - warned the Scottish Government was not even halfway there to keeping The Promise, while stressing there was no "reasonable explanation" for delay.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Young people leaving care from age 16 are a priority for having their housing needs met and social landlords should also consider care leavers when they allocate houses.
'We are investing £768 million this year in affordable housing, including £40 million to support acquisitions of existing properties to increase the supply of social and affordable homes with 80% of the funding targeting the five local authorities facing the most sustained temporary accommodation pressures.
'The Cabinet Secretary for Housing is determined to ensure that the Housing (Scotland) Bill delivers strengthened rights for everyone experiencing homelessness, including those leaving care.'
