Leaving Care - Your Rights

> It is often especially difficult for young people who leave care to find somewhere to live.

> The Children (Leaving Care) Act came into effect in October 2001.

> The new law applies to you if on or after October 1st 2001

> you are 16 or 17, and you are in care, and
> you have been in care for at least 13 weeks since you turned 14.

> If the new law applies to you, you will get help until you are at least 21 whether you stay in care or leave.

> The new law does not cover young people who only receive respite care. But you will still be able to get some help if you were in care – even if only for one day – after you turned 16. This also applies if you were looked after in respite care.

> You should stay in care until you are 18 unless you are very sure that you want to make the move out of care before that.

> Your social worker should be in touch with you, as you approach 16, to look at what advice, assistance and support the Council should be providing while they continue to look after you and after you have left care and to decide who is to be your Personal Adviser.

> Once you have discussed your ideas and wishes with them, you will have a plan (called a Pathway Plan) to cover different parts of your life: where you live, your education, training and employment, your health, money and your personal support needs, until your 21st birthday.

> You may choose to leave care and move to a new area. That’s fine. All you need do is make sure your Personal Adviser knows, so that they can make sure you continue to get the support and help needed to match your Pathway Plan.

> If you have been looked after by a local authority, then you should speak to your social worker or Personal Adviser about finding accommodation and applying for financial help.

> Your Pathway Plan should have a section on what to do if things don’t work out. You will not be on your own. You will have a Personal Adviser.

> They will help you work out your Pathway Plan.
They should:

> Provide you with advice and support.

> Be involved in understanding your needs and helping prepare your Pathway Plan.

> Review your Pathway Plan. Your hopes and ideas might change as you go along, so the Plan should be looked at, at least every six months, to make sure it is still up to date.

> Make sure your Pathway Plan is met.

> Negotiate for you with the Council to make sure you get the help and support you need, including money.

> Keep in touch. Your Adviser should keep in touch with you until you are at least 21. You can discuss how you would like to keep in touch and how much contact suits you.

Click on:
www.housemate.org.uk
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3082.cfm

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