Leaving foster or local authority care
Your local council must provide you with support until you鈥檙e 25. When you leave care there鈥檒l be a meeting to help you work out what you鈥檙e going to do next.
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16 | You鈥檒l be given a plan to help you make the transition from care to independent life |
| 18 | You鈥檙e no longer in care when you turn 18 but your council must still provide you with some support, including a personal adviser and plan |
| 21 | You can continue to get help and advice from the council and a personal adviser until you鈥檙e 25, if you want to |
What the council must do to help you
The council must:
- give you a personal adviser who stays in touch with you once you鈥檝e left care
- carry out an assessment to find out what advice and support you need - they must also prepare a plan to make this happen (called a 鈥榩athway plan鈥�)
- make sure you鈥檝e got somewhere to live and enough money (until you turn 18)
- help you to continue living with your foster parent if you want to (until you turn 21)
Discussing your future
If you鈥檙e leaving care you鈥檒l have a 鈥榮tatutory review meeting鈥� to discuss your future, including what support you鈥檒l need.
Things to consider before your meeting
These things will be discussed at your statutory review meeting:
- where you鈥檙e going to live (you can move somewhere where personal support and advice is always available if you want to)
- if you鈥檙e going to work, get training or continue in education
- how much support you think you鈥檒l need from your social worker or personal adviser
Who should be at your statutory review meeting
The following people should be at the meeting:
- you
- an advocate, if you ask for one (an adult you choose who can help you explain things)
- your social worker
- your carers
- any other people responsible for supporting you (like a mentor or a member of staff from your school or college)
- an Independent Reviewing Officer (a neutral person appointed to make sure everything鈥檚 done properly)
Complaining about your statutory review meeting
You can make a formal complaint if you鈥檙e not happy with how your meeting went. Your social worker or personal adviser from the leaving care service and the Independent Reviewing Officer must tell you how to do this.
Supporting you in education
You should get a bursary of 拢1,200 a year if you stay in full-time education. Contact your education provider (your school or college) to find out how to claim the 16-19 bursary.
You can get a higher education bursary of 拢2,000 from your local council if you鈥檙e going on to higher education (for example university).
When you reach 16
Your local council must write a 鈥榩athway plan鈥� when you reach 16 which helps you prepare for leaving care and says what support you should get.
It must include plans for your:
- health
- education, training and development
- contact with family
- financial management
Your personal adviser must take part in any pathway plan reviews until you鈥檙e 21, or 25 if you want this support to continue. You must have a review:
- at least every 6 months
- if you ask for one
- if your personal adviser or the council asks for one
Setting up home allowances
You can get a setting up home allowance (also known as a leaving care grant) to help you buy essential things when moving into your own home. Contact your local council to find out how much is available.
Finding work
You may be able to:
- get work through the 鈥楩ind a job鈥� service
Benefits
You might be able to claim some benefits, like: