1.1.3 Leaving Care |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
Arrangements for young people Leaving Care are the responsibility of the Placing Authority; therefore managers and staff should obtain copies of procedures from relevant authorities and assist social workers in implementing them.
This chapter summarises the key terms and responsibilities in relation to Leaving Care and what steps should be taken by homes in relation to them.
This chapter should be read in conjunction with the following:
REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Children's Homes Regulations and Standards (England) 2001: Standard 5: Moving in and Leaving the Home
Children's Homes Regulations and Standards (Wales) 2002: Moving in and Leaving the Home
Contents
1. Definitions
Normally the definitions of the following terms are found in Keywords Appendix, but a number relate primarily to this chapter; therefore they have also been summarised below.
Other Keywords, which are not specific to this procedure are defined in Keywords Appendix.
1.1 Eligible Young People
They are aged 16 or 17, have been Looked After for a period or periods totalling at least 13 weeks starting after their 14th birthday and are still Looked After. (This total does not include a series of short term placements of up to four weeks where the child has returned to the parent.) There is a duty to support these young people up to the age of 18. This can be up to 21 if the young person is in further education.
1.2 Relevant Young People
They are aged 16 or 17 and are no longer Looked After, having previously been in the category of Eligible Young Person when Looked After. However, if after leaving the looked after service, a young person returns home for a period of 6 months or more to be cared for by a parent, he or she will no longer be a "relevant young person". A young person is also "relevant" if, having been looked after for three months or more, he or she is then detained after their 16th birthday either in hospital, remand centre, young offenders' institution or secure training centre. There is a duty to support relevant young people up to the age of 18.
1.3 Former Relevant Young People
They are aged 18 to 21 (or up to 24 if in full-time further or higher education), and have left the Looked After service having been previously either "eligible", "relevant" or both. There is a duty to consider the need to support these young people.
1.4 Qualifying Young People
They are over the age of 16 and under the age of 21, and have been Looked After or, if disabled, Privately Fostered after reaching 16, but do not qualify as eligible, relevant or former relevant. They may receive support, advice and assistance.
1.5 Personal Advisor
A Personal Adviser is the person appointed to work with every Looked After young person, usually at the first Looked After Review after the young person's 15th birthday, and will occupy a key role in preparing the young person for independence and providing support after they cease to be looked after. He or she will hold a pivotal role in the assessment, planning and review of services as set out in the Pathway Plan.
1.6 Pathway Plan
The Pathway Plan sets out the route to the future for young people leaving the Looked After service and will state how their needs will be met in their path to independence. The plan will continue to be implemented and reviewed after they leave the looked after service at least until they are 21; and up to 24 if in education.
2. Key Responsibilities
Each Local Authority should have it's own procedures for young people Leaving Care, which should be consulted in relation to relevant young person. In the absence of such procedures, the following may be applied.
- A Personal Adviser should be appointed for every looked after young person before their 16th birthday. The Personal Adviser's appointment will continue while the young person remains an Eligible, Relevant or Former Relevant Young Person.
- All eligible, relevant and former relevant young people must have received a multi-agency assessment of their needs and abilities to live independently. This will be informed by the ongoing assessment, planning and review which takes place throughout the period they are Looked After.
- They must also have a Pathway Plan which will be drawn up having regard to the above assessment. The Pathway Plan must be owned by the young person who must have a copy of the Plan for safe keeping.
- The Pathway Plan should complement the Care Plan and be regularly reviewed.
- Where the young person continues to be Looked After, there should additionally be a Placement Plan, which should describe what arrangements have been made within the home to support the Pathway Plan. The Placement Plan will continue to be the responsibility of the home where the young person is placed, and must outline the arrangements in place for supporting the Pathway Plan.
- The Pathway Plan will continue in place for eligible, relevant and former relevant young people.
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