Care leaver from Cambridgeshire says she was ‘terrified’ when she turned 18

A woman who was ‘terrified’ when she left the care system at the age of 18 is now helping young people going through the same experience.

Elle Johnson, 24, helps the estimated 400 young people who leave care in Cambridgeshire each year find housing, study and work.

Ms Johnson, of Downham Market, Norfolk, says councils are working as ‘corporate parents’, standing up for young people without a family network.

“It really helps me to tell the young person, I’ve been there, I’ve done this, it’s going to be OK,” she said.