Care leavers’ rights were first enshrined in law in 2000, with the Children (Leaving Care) Act. Various additional provisions have been added over time, and currently care leavers are entitled to:
- An assessment of their needs and a “Pathway Plan” up to at least the age of 21 years.
- A Personal Advisor to oversee the implementation of the Pathway Plan and provide support, up to the age of 21 years for all, and 25 years if the care leaver needs it. They do not have to be in education to request this extended support. The extended support up to 25 must be requested by the care leaver.
- A “setting up home allowance” when they move to independent accommodation. The recommended amount is £2000 and most local authorities provide this amount.
- Assistance with education, up to 25 years of age, including a £2000 higher education bursary
- “Stay Put” (i.e. remain living with their former foster parent post-18) if both they and their former foster parent agree. The foster placement becomes a ‘staying put arrangement’ and the expectation is that the young person is actively developing independent living skills. The arrangement can continue up to 21 years of age.
- Priority status for local authority housing, from 18 to 21 years of age. The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 gives care leavers a local connection in their home local authority area and also in the area in which they were living while in care (as long as they were living there for more than 2 years).
- Exemption from the shared housing rate that applies to single young adults requiring social housing, until they are 25 years of age. This means that they can bid for a one-bedroom property until they are 25, and if they are in receipt of benefits, the housing element will cover their full rent (up to the local housing allowance limit for one bedroom properties).
Every local authority must publish a ‘Local Offer’ of support to young people leaving their care.
For information and advice about your rights as a care leaver, visit the Children’s Commissioner’s website.
For support and advice, make contact with the Become Charity.