Children in care to get £10 a week savings

A new government savings scheme will set aside £10 a week for children in care for them to access when they turn 18.

Established by the States’ Children and Family Community Services and Guernsey Community Savings, it is designed to give young people a financial foundation when becoming an adult.

The States said the scheme will apply to children from entry into the care system and 40 will benefit immediately.

Associate director of children services Lucy Cook said the savings accounts would support young people by “helping them to access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.”

The States of Guernsey said the transition to independent living for people in care can bring “significant financial pressures, from setting up a home to managing everyday living costs”.

“Having savings of their own can offer greater choice, security and confidence as they take this important step,” it said.