Pageant finalist to highlight care system issues

Charlotte Levy is a finalist at the annual Miss Universe Great Britain this year

A care leaver who reached the finals of a national beauty pageant hoped to use the platform to highlight issues within the care system.

Charlotte Levy, 22, from Northampton, is competing in Miss Universe Great Britain and campaigning for better support for young people leaving care.

Between the ages of 16 to 18, she was moved between East Hunsbury, Rushden, Moulton, Corby, Duston and Abington - a process she described as "degrading".

Ms Levy said: "I left the foster care system and I wanted to make a difference. I realised there are so many things wrong with the foster care system that need to be changed, so I entered Miss Universe Great Britain to build a platform for that change."

Charlotte Levy said whilst in care she did not have a voice to speak out against the "bureaucracy" of the system

A care leaver is someone who has been in the care of the local authority for 13 weeks or more, spanning their 16th birthday.

Ms Levy, who now works closely with Become, the national charity for children in care and care leavers, aimed to raise £5,000 for the charity through bookings from her dog grooming business.

She also wanted to see a stronger safety net for care leavers, particularly regarding housing support.

"We want a homelessness safety net for care leavers so they can bid for social housing," she added.

"Many [in care] are moved up to 500 miles away, wherever the local authority can place them," she explained.

Ms Levy also described the care-leaving process as a "postcode lottery," with personal advisors available to support young people until the age of 21, but only if local councils have the funding to extend it.

The finals of Miss Universe Great Britain will take place in Cardiff, where contestants will take part in rounds including swimwear, evening wear, and an interview about their chosen platform.

"I'm very nervous and preparing a lot - I even have to learn how to walk in heels!" she added.