The LGA is calling on the Government to fund a national council tax exemption for care leavers up to the age of 25.
It says this will help prevent them from falling into financial hardship when they leave care and support their transition to independence.
The LGA also says care leavers should be exempt from paying for prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and optician costs.
More than 11,000 young people become care leavers each year, and councils, as ‘corporate parents’, are responsible for ensuring they and those in care have the best possible start in life.
The LGA’s call for a nationally funded council tax exemption came during National Care Leavers Week, which ran from 28 October to 3 November.
Care leavers are more financially vulnerable than their peers, with 83 per cent of care-experienced young people struggling to afford essentials, according to a survey by the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum.
Many councils already have council tax exemptions or reductions in place, but a nationally funded exemption would ensure there is a consistent offer across the country, and lessen the ‘postcode lottery’ for care leavers, including for care leavers who live outside their ‘home’ council area.
Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair, said: “Avoiding financial hardship is vital for care leavers to make the successful transition from care to independence.
“We have set out a programme of change that we urge the government to consider, to guarantee a more consistent offer for care leavers across the country and continue promoting the best possible outcomes for our children leaving care.
“Providing nationally government-funded exemptions will ensure no care leaver goes without access to services they rely on to stay healthy and well.”
