When you’re preparing to leave care, it can feel like a big step, but there’s lots of support to help you along the way. Here’s what you can expect:
What Happens When You Leave Care?
Leaving care usually happens when you’re between 16 and 18, but you can stay until you’re ready to be more independent. If you’re still in foster care, you might choose to stay with your foster family until you’re 21 under a Staying Put arrangement. Even after you leave care, you’ll still get support from the Leaving Care Teamuntil you’re 21, or up to 25 if you need it.
Learning Life Skills
Before you leave care, your social worker and carers will help you learn important life skills like cooking, cleaning, and budgeting. These are things you’ll need to know for living on your own. They’ll also help you understand your Pathway Plan—this is a document that outlines your goals and the support you’ll get as you transition into adulthood.
Where Will You Live?
You’ll have a few housing options, depending on what’s best for you:
- Staying Put: If you’re in foster care and want to stay with your foster family after turning 18, you can ask for this.
- Semi-independent Living: This is where you get some support, but also have more responsibility, like managing your own bills and shopping.
- Supported Housing: You might live in a flat where staff are available to help you as you get used to living on your own.
Your social worker or Personal Advisor (PA) will help you figure out the best place for you to live and how to get set up in your new home.
Support You’ll Get
Once you turn 18, you’ll have a PA who will continue to support you. They can help you with things like finding a job, managing money, and accessing benefits like Universal Credit. You’ll also keep meeting regularly to make sure you’re doing okay and getting the support you need.
Leaving care can feel scary, but there are lots of people to help you with the big decisions and challenges. You’re not alone in this—your PA, social worker, and Leaving Care Team are all there to make sure you’re ready for adulthood.
