Care leavers to get free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services until age of 25

Thousands of young people leaving care will receive free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services until their 25th birthday, Wes Streeting has announced.

The Health Secretary said the measures will help those in care who have the toughest start in life - and face a "barrage of health inequalities". Under the reforms unveiled today,family doctors will also be alerted to children who are in settings such as a foster care or a children's home. The government said this will help GPs ensure no young person falls through the cracks.

A three-year pilot scheme will aim to boost access to mental health support. And ministers will trial a new programme of paid internship for care leavers in the NHS and a guaranteed interview scheme for roles in the health service.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said tens of thousands will benefit from free prescriptions, eye care and dental care until the age of 25. There were over 50,000 care leavers aged between 17 and 21 in 2025.

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DHSC added young people in care lack support after turning 18, with a higher risk of mental health problems. They also face barriers accessing healthcare, with many not shown how to register with a GP or dentist, alongside a higher chance of experiencing homelessness or unemployment.

The recommendations come from children's minister Josh MacAlister, who was the government's former social care adviser at DHSC before the summer reshuffle. The former teacher said: "The disadvantage faced by children who've grown up in care is a huge social injustice. That's why we're taking cross government action to transform life chances for these children and care leavers.

"This package of health measures will make a tangible difference to reduce health inequalities, keep more children safe and help more families with intensive support. It also delivers on recommendations from the Independent Review of Children's Social Care that I published in 2022. This Government is delivering meaningful change to break down barriers to opportunity, especially for those in care."

Mr Streeting added: “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 fulling life.

“I’m proud that this government and the work Josh 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.”