What happens when I leave care?

You officially leave care when you’re 18. This can be an exciting time, but also scary and stressful. There’s lots to think about, like where you’ll live, how you’ll pay your bills, also cooking and cleaning. You could also be carrying on studying or starting work. It’s vital you feel prepared and know where to get help if you need it.

You can get help from our Leaving Care Service if:

• you've been in care for 13 weeks since you were 14
• and you’re in care after you turned 16

Around your 16th birthday, you’ll be assigned a leaving care coach. From then up until you turn 18, your social worker and leaving care coach will work together on your pathway plan.

Remember your social worker has overall responsibility to work with you until you’re 18. They’ll help you make your future plans, ensure you are safe and that your needs are met.

When you turn 16, your social worker will start to talk to you about your future. They’ll ask you things like ‘What job do you want to do?’ ‘Would you like to continue to study?’ and ‘What are your skills to live independently?’  They’ll also talk to other important people in your life to learn more about you and your needs. i.e, your foster carer or key worker.

This process is called a ‘needs assessment’. The law says this must happen within three months of you turning 16.

The results of the assessment are then put into your pathway plan.

Your pathway plan will help you take control of your life, so you can plan and achieve your future goals. It will help you to:

• prepare for living independently
• get work or start a training course
• learn to manage money and other daily tasks 
• make a successful move from care into your own home
• build and keep a permanent home for yourself
• plan for the unexpected
• achieve your goals and ambitions

Once you complete your plan, your leaving care coach will review it at least every six months. Your plan will be written down and you’ll get a copy. You can work on your pathway plan until you’re 25 if you still need support.

You’ll get a leaving care coach around your 16th birthday. From then, and until you’re 18, they and your social worker will work together on your pathway plan. Once you turn 18, your leaving care coach will become responsible for giving you support, advice and guidance on:

• reviewing and updating your pathway plan
• taking reasonable steps to stay in regular contact
• helping you get into or continue education, training, or work
• giving you advice about housing, money, and health
• helping make sure you can live independently

You’ll be able to access support from your leaving care coach until you reach the age of 25.

Your leaving care coach can also help you maintain contact with relatives and friends you met while in care.

If you’re aged 21 to 25 and recently had your case closed, you can still get support. Just ask us to reallocate a leaving care coach to your case.