Children's services
Introduction
If you have spent any time in care after your 16th birthday, it is very likely that you will be entitled to support from children’s services as a care leaver up to age 25. This support is designed to make the transition to the responsibilities of adulthood as straightforward as possible, helping you live a successful and independent life.
Support can include help with education, training, and employment, as well as accommodation, food, transport, and clothing.
What a young person is entitled to varies from person to person. It will depend on your age, when you came into care and how long you have been, or were, in care.
Am I an eligible child?
You will be an eligible child if:
- You are aged between 16 and 17
- You have been looked-after by children’s services for at least 13 weeks, since the age of 14. (The period of 13 weeks does not need to be all in one go)
- You are still being looked-after by children’s services
An eligible child will be entitled to the following services:
- Personal adviser
- Needs assessment
- Pathway plan
Am I a relevant child?
You will be a relevant child if:
- You are aged between 16 and 17
- You have been looked-after by children’s services for at least 13 weeks, since the age of 14 (the period of 13 weeks does not need to be all in one go)
- You have been looked-after for at least 1 day after your 16th birthday
- You have now left the care of children’s services
A relevant child will be entitled to the following services:
- A Personal Adviser
- Needs Assessment
- A Pathway Plan
- Housing and Maintenance
Am I a former relevant child?
You will be a former relevant child if:
- You are aged between 18 and 25
- You have been previously been either an eligible child or relevant child or both
A former relevant child will be entitled to the following services:
- A Personal Adviser
- A Pathway Plan
- Help with money for your education, training or employment, if detailed in your Pathway Plan
- Assistance in general (sometimes by providing cash)
- The provision of, or funds to secure the provision of vacation accommodation if you are in full-time higher or further education, if needed
Am I a qualifying care leaver?
You will be a qualifying care leaver if:
- You are aged between 16-25
- You were looked-after by children’s services for a period of time between your 16th and 18th birthday
- You were not looked-after by children’s services for at least 13 weeks, since the age of 14, or if you were, you were not looked-after) for at least 1 day after your 16th birthday
A qualifying care leaver will be entitled to the following services:
- Children’s services will need to take steps to keep in touch with you
- Advice and assistance
- Financial assistance – Children’s services MAY, in exceptional circumstances, provide cash and MAY contribute to costs incurred by you in living near your place of work, or contribute to the costs of education or training
- If you are in full-time further or higher education and need accommodation during a vacation as term time accommodation is not available, children’s services MUST provide accommodation or money for accommodation.
What is a Pathway Plan?
If you are an eligible child, relevant child or former relevant child, you will be entitled to a Pathway Plan. A Pathway Plan will provide the support you will receive once you have left care. This must be based on the needs assessment carried out. The plan should be prepared before you leave care.
The Pathway Plan should set out:
- Support to stay in contact with family and friends.
- Support to develop practical and other skills to live independently.
- Support for your physical, emotional and mental health needs.
- Support for your further education or employment.
- Information on your ability to control your money and any money you might need
- Arrangements to provide you with suitable accommodation
What is the role of a Personal Adviser?
Your Personal Adviser will:
- Provide advice and support to you on a regular basis
- Consider and participate in the Pathway Plan as this is written
- Ensure that your Pathway Plan is being followed
- Organise the services available to you
- Remain informed about your progress and wellbeing
- Provide housing options available to you when leaving care
- Provide support in finding further education, employment or training
Personal advisers are now available to all care leavers up to the age of 25 years old, whether or not you are in education or training.
If you are not getting the help you need from your children’s services after you have left care, you should first explain the problem to your Personal Adviser. If you are still having problems, you should make a formal complaint to children’s services.
Relevant guidance
Extending Personal Adviser support to all care leavers to age 25