Young care leavers in England are granted new entitlements — what it means and why it matters
In a significant policy shift aimed at tackling health inequalities faced by young people who have grown up in care, the UK government has announced that care leavers will now receive free NHS prescriptions, dental services and eyecare up to their 25th birthday. This change, first published in late December 2025, is intended to ease the transition from care to independence and improve access to essential health services for those who often fall through the cracks of the system.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Those in care face the toughest start in life and as a result suffer from a barrage of health inequalities, hampering their chances of going on to lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life.
I’m proud that this government and the work Josh MacAlister did in my department will help break down those barriers to stop care leavers being held back.
I am determined to give all children the best start in life, and this boost to healthcare and career opportunities for care leavers is a concrete step towards that goal.”
Under the new package of measures, tens of thousands of care leavers will be entitled to free prescriptions – waiving the standard NHS prescription charge that applies in England – alongside free NHS dental treatment and eye tests or vouchers for eyecare. This is a marked shift from the previous position, where such entitlements were limited and largely dependent on income, age or other specific exemptions.
The move forms part of a broader government strategy to reduce health inequalities and remove barriers faced by care leavers, who research shows are disproportionately affected by poorer health outcomes, mental health challenges, homelessness and unemployment compared with their peers. The Department of Health and Social Care has also linked these changes with enhanced job opportunities such as paid NHS internships and a guaranteed interview scheme for NHS roles for care leavers, alongside improved safeguarding measures to ensure that health professionals are alerted when a young person is or has been in care.
Charities and advocacy organisations have welcomed the announcement. Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, described the extension of free prescriptions and dental care as a “positive step towards a society which gives all children the best start in life, whatever their background.” (Barnardo’s)
Experts like those from the Oral Health Foundation have specifically highlighted the importance of removing cost barriers to dental care, noting that untreated dental problems can become long-term issues without early treatment.
However, the success of this policy will depend on access as much as entitlement. Commentators and health bodies have emphasised that free services only benefit care leavers if they can find and access NHS dentists or opticians in their area, particularly given ongoing challenges with dental access in parts of England.
Why this policy change matters
For care leavers, a group that typically loses statutory support upon turning 18, this policy acknowledges the continued health risks and support gaps they face as they enter adulthood. It aligns with longstanding advocacy arguing that the state’s responsibility should not simply end at age 18, given the complex challenges these young people navigate in securing stable housing, employment and healthcare. Commentators have described the move as welcome but still part of a broader set of reforms needed to ensure care leavers are supported in the long term.
By extending free prescriptions and essential health services until age 25, the government aims to reduce avoidable costs and improve wellbeing at a stage where young people are often balancing education, early careers and independent living.
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