Fostering Advice
What Is a Care Leaver?
Transitioning to adulthood can be a difficult time for anyone, but for those who have grown up as foster children, the path to independence comes with its own unique set of challenges. But what does care leaver mean in the real world, what support is available to them, and what exactly are their rights moving forward?
Understanding the Term "Care Leaver"
A “care leaver” in the UK is defined as any young person who is leaving the guardianship of the local authority after spending time in fostering or residential care. Upon reaching the age of 18, they are no longer legally considered “looked after” and are free to begin their journey into adulthood. However, it is important to also highlight that other types of care leavers exist.
Types of Care Leavers
The term “care leaver” encompasses four different categories. These are intended to reflect the various stages at which a young person might potentially be leaving care, as well as the varying levels of support they’ll be entitled to:
1. Eligible Care Leaver
A young person aged 16 or 17 who has been in care for a minimum of 13 weeks since the age of 14 and remains in care today.
2. Relevant Care Leaver
A young person aged 16 or 17 who was previously an eligible care leaver, but has since left fostering or residential care.
3. Former Relevant Care Leaver
A young person aged 18 to 25 who was an eligible or relevant care leaver before the age of 18 and is thus entitled to ongoing support from the local authority.
4. Qualifying Care Leaver
A young person under the age of 25 who was previously in care, but does not meet the criteria for eligible, relevant or former relevant status. This group may receive some level of support, but it is generally less comprehensive.
The Challenges Faced by Care Leavers
It is difficult to separate what a care leaver is from the challenges they face, as this is the main reason it’s important to define them. After all, unlike many of their peers who might benefit from the support of their families, care leavers often face this transition with limited to no familial support. This makes their pathway to independence particularly challenging. With that in mind, care leaver challenges include but are not limited to:
- Housing instability
- Educational and employment barriers
- Mental health and wellbeing struggles
- Lack of financial literacy and other life skills
We offer long-term fostering arrangements.
What Support Is Available to Care Leavers?
In recognition of these challenges, there are several types of support that are available to care leavers today:
1. Personal adviser
Each care leaver is assigned a personal adviser by their local authority. This adviser serves as a dependable source of support and guidance, helping the care leaver develop a Pathway Plan. The plan outlines the young person’s goals in a number of areas including education, employment and housing, as well as the steps which are needed to achieve them. Advisers remain available for support until the care leaver turns 25.
2. Accommodation support
Local authorities are also responsible for ensuring that care leavers can continue to access appropriate accommodation. This will often include supported housing arrangements such as semi-independent living or shared housing with other care leavers.
3. Financial assistance
Young people leaving care are often entitled to financial support, including bursaries for further education, government benefits, and even help with setting up a home. The level of assistance will vary depending on their age and individual circumstances.
4. Educational and employment programmes
To help care leavers gain skills and experience, local authorities may also offer programmes that support their education and employment. These include apprenticeships, mentoring schemes, and internships.
5. Mental health services
Finally, recognising the mental health challenges that care leavers often encounter, specialised counselling and emotional support services are also available. These resources are essential for helping care leavers build resilience and maintain their emotional well-being.
The Real-World Meaning of Care Leaver
Above all, care leavers are young people who face unique challenges as they transition from foster care to independent adulthood. Understanding who care leavers are and the support available to them is essential for helping them build successful and fulfilling lives. At Compass Fostering, we are committed to providing a holistic approach to fostering that helps prepare our children for the most positive outcomes possible.
If you have any further questions about care leavers or are interested in becoming a foster carer, feel free to contact our friendly team today.
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