NATIONAL CARE LEAVERS WEEK, OCTOBER 19TH TO 25TH 2003

Early day motion 1768, tabled 16 October 2003 by Hilton Dawson (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House warmly endorses National Care Leavers' Week; congratulates the Bryn Melyn Group Foundation for organising it; welcomes its sponsorship by a coalition of organisations committed to improving children's services; recognises that the theme of Barriers to Work is highly appropriate because care leavers face huge obstacles from missed educational opportunities, inadequate support from local authorities and sheer prejudice; and hopes that this week of varied events in London, Coventry, Liverpool and North Wales will remind everyone of the need to build upon progress achieved by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 while declaring that young people leaving care have resilience, experience and abilities which no sensible employer should overlook.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, UUP 1.