Digital inclusion efforts focus on care leavers

Following a pilot project, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is rolling out a programme to provide care leavers with free data connectivity for 12 months, as well as devices and training.

GMCA, which is made up of the ten Greater Manchester councils, estimates there are 4,200 care leavers up to the age of 25 across the region and that all are digitally excluded in some way.

The programme aims to address some of the issues faced by young people leaving the care system, including often having less disposable income to afford basic essentials such as digital devices and connectivity.

A statement from GMCA said: “A lack of digital access and skills can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, leading to increased loneliness and social isolation, less access to jobs and education, which both in turn are associated with poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy and financial exclusion.”

Pilot results

A pilot took place in Salford, delivered as a partnership between Salford City Council, GMCA, Good Things Foundation, Salford Foundation and Virgin Media O2. Free data was donated through the National Databank, set up by Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2.

The trial supported 48 care leavers, with 60 percent obtaining connectivity and 20 percent signing up for additional skills help. Sixty-one percent of those supported were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

The programme will now be available for care leavers aged 18 to 25 across Greater Manchester through a partnership between the ten local authorities, The Good Things Foundation, Virgin Media O2, Salford Foundation and Skills City.

Personal advisors will help to identify those that would benefit from the offer and people can also put themselves forward.

“We know that young people leaving care are in need of support in this space which is why this work is so vital,” said Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

“If Greater Manchester is truly going to be a world leading digital city region, we have to make a big commitment to fix the digital divide – the consequences of not doing so are severe. Our young people deserve every chance to fulfil their potential.”

App

In addition, GMCA is working on an app for care leavers. It is expected to launch next month and will include information and advice, details of local events and activities, and the latest regional apprenticeship opportunities.

Burnham has established a Digital Inclusion Action Network in Greater Manchester which brings together a cross sector of organisations.

Digital inclusion for care leavers is also a focus for other local authorities, such as Aberdeen which has earmarked £25,000 (US$28,564) for a plan to address the issue.

Full implementation is underway and 41 care leavers who attended college or university have so far accessed devices and equipment for their studies.

Operational Delivery Committee Convener, Councillor Miranda Radley, said: “We welcome the work being undertaken to ensure that care-experienced young people are able to access digital support and the devices that will support them in their futures – whether that’s in education or other areas of their lives.”