Leaving foster or local authority care

Your local council must provide you with support until you바카라 사이트™re 25. When you leave care there바카라 사이트™ll be a meeting to help you work out what you바카라 사이트™re going to do next.

Age What happens
16 You바카라 사이트™ll be given a plan to help you make the transition from care to independent life
18 You바카라 사이트™re 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 you바카라 사이트™re 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 you바카라 사이트™ve 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 바카라 사이트˜pathway plan바카라 사이트™)
  • make sure you바카라 사이트™ve 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 you바카라 사이트™re leaving care you바카라 사이트™ll have a 바카라 사이트˜statutory review meeting바카라 사이트™ to discuss your future, including what support you바카라 사이트™ll need.

Things to consider before your meeting

These things will be discussed at your statutory review meeting:

  • where you바카라 사이트™re going to live (you can move somewhere where personal support and advice is always available if you want to)
  • if you바카라 사이트™re going to work, get training or continue in education
  • how much support you think you바카라 사이트™ll 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 everything바카라 사이트™s done properly)

Complaining about your statutory review meeting

You can make a formal complaint if you바카라 사이트™re 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 £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 £2,000 from your local council if you바카라 사이트™re going on to higher education (for example university).

When you reach 16

Your local council must write a 바카라 사이트˜pathway plan바카라 사이트™ 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 you바카라 사이트™re 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:

Benefits

You might be able to claim some benefits, like:

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