Care Leavers

Continuing your care

• If you are born after April 1999.
• have been looked after in foster, kinship or residential care.

You are then eligible to remain in your current care placement until you turn 21. This is called Continuing Care.

It is important to remember that it is not a new placement; it is the right for you to ‘stay put’ in the same placement.

It gives you the chance to stay in a safe, supported environment, until you are better ready to make the transition to being independent.

Secure your own tenancy

All care experienced young people are eligible for a leaving care/setting up home grant.

• provides you with the essential items needed to set up a home.
• can be given in a lump sum or in instalments when you leave care.
• A Throughcare Aftercare worker will assist young people to spend it wisely.

The amount that is given out is dependent upon the needs/circumstances of the care leaver, e.g. whether they need a few items for when they moved into shared or semi-independent accommodation or to furnish an empty flat when they secure a tenancy.

In your first tenancy will receive:

• Your first year TV license.
• Your first year of contents insurance.
• Fuel supplement for the first 6 months.

Alongside this financial support, our Throughcare Aftercare Team will offer you regular practical support and help you budget your income, whatever that may be.