Young people leaving care in England will now receive free prescriptions, dental and eye care up to the age of 25, as part of new government measures designed to reduce persistent health inequalities. The reforms also include pilot schemes offering NHS internships, guaranteed interviews for care-experienced applicants, and expanded mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The policy aims to address the challenges faced by care leavers, who are statistically more vulnerable to poor health outcomes, homelessness, and unemployment. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the changes recognise the disadvantages experienced by those who grow up in foster care or children\u2019s homes and seek to \u201cbreak down barriers\u201d to opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tens of thousands of care leavers across England will be entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye care until their 25th birthday<\/strong>. According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC<\/a>), the initiative follows concerns that many young people leaving care struggle to access basic health services, with some never shown how to register with a GP or dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The measure was announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting<\/strong>, who described it as a response to the \u201cbarrage of health inequalities\u201d faced by care-experienced young people. \u201cThose in care face the toughest start in life,\u201d he stated, adding that the new policy would ensure that \u201cno young person falls through the cracks\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data from the DHSC shows that in 2025, there were approximately 53,230<\/strong> care leavers aged 17 to 21, and a further 44,430<\/strong> aged 22 to 25. Many of these individuals are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions and experiencing long-term difficulties, including housing instability and limited employment prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New regulations will also enable GPs and health professionals to be automatically alerted when a patient is in care, aiming to strengthen safeguarding measures. According to the same department, clinicians will be able to raise concerns and share information across services more efficiently during routine medical appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSupport Beyond Health: Internships and Mental Health Pilots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n