'We are not the undeserving poor of the Victorian era'

A teenager who went into care when he was 10 has described how he struggled to navigate the system and seek help.

Hayden, now aged 17, lived in a children's home until he was 16 before moving into a semi-independent home. After feeling unsafe there he ended up sofa-surfing.

"There is an incredible amount of individuals working so hard to improve the lives of young people but the system is fundamentally flawed," said Hayden, who got in touch with the BBC via Your Voice to share his experience.

A new government-commissioned report found that young adult care-leavers have a death rate about four times higher than the general population.

The report noted the potentially catastrophic consequences for those who are often left alone "with no safety net".

People leaving care in England at 18 often lose "significant levers of support", the report concluded, as it warned the so-called "care cliff" must be addressed.

"You kind of are navigating it by yourself and just hoping you've said the right things and put the right things forward to make things happen," said Hayden, who grew up in Middleton, Greater Manchester, before being placed in care in a different local authority area.

"We are not the undeserving poor of the Victorian era.

"People deserve compassion because they have been through so much."

Hayden, who turns 18 next month, is currently living in a semi-independent placement in Oldham while studying at a sixth-form college.

He said he hoped to remain there while focusing on his A-levels in government and politics, economics and biology.

"There's quite a bit of legislation that says if moving will cause a detriment to your education that you should be able to remain in the placement.

"So that's what I've fought for, but it wasn't easy - it took a while."

Hayden said he would like to see changes to way the care system operates.

"I think the biggest thing for me is removing the profit motive from children's homes because there is no place for profit in improving the lives of children that have nowhere else to go," he said.

"It's just something that you simply can't do.

"So I would like to see homes brought back under local authority control, so that there is a closer eye on the most vulnerable members of society and so that schools and homes can work together effectively to improve the lives of young children."

The government previously said it was driving forward a national rollout of connected housing options for those leaving care, starting with £25m this year.

It said this would "significantly increase" young people's chances of being offered a "home that provides them with community and connection rather than leaving them isolated in inappropriate accommodation".

If you've been affected by the issues in this story, you can find information, advice and support from the BBC's Action Line. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.