Preparation for Leaving Care

Young people aged 16 or 17 who have experienced care for a total of at least 13 weeks after their 14th birthday—and who remain in care—are recognised as having unique strengths, resilience, and potential. These young people may have faced significant challenges, and the care system acknowledges their journey by ensuring they receive consistent, compassionate, and empowering support.

To promote stability and positive outcomes, the local authority has a duty to provide support up to the age of 18, regardless of where the young person is living. This includes a holistic needs assessment, the development of a personalised Pathway Plan, and the appointment of a dedicated Personal Adviser—all designed to build on the young person’s aspirations, capabilities, and goals for the future.

This approach is grounded in the principles of respect, participation, and empowerment, ensuring that each young person is not only heard but actively involved in shaping their journey toward independence.

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 ending at least one day after their 16th birthday, and are still in care. (This total does not include a series of pre-planned short-term placements of up to 4 weeks where the child has returned to the parent). The local authority has a duty to support these young people up to the age of 18, wherever they are living.

The local authority is required to undertake a needs assessment, prepare a Pathway Plan, keep the Pathway Plan under review and appoint a Personal Adviser (see Regulations 42, 43 and 44 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010).

Young people aged 16 or 17 who are no longer looked after, but who were previously classified as Eligible, are known as Relevant Young People. These individuals have already demonstrated resilience and adaptability through their care journey. The local authority recognises their continued need for support and is committed to walking alongside them as they move toward adulthood.

If a young person returns home to live with a parent for six months or more, they are no longer considered Relevant under the regulations. However, their strengths and needs should still be acknowledged and supported through appropriate services.

A young person is also considered Relevant if they were looked after for at least three months and are subsequently detained after their 16th birthday in a hospital, remand centre, young offenders’ institution, or secure training centre.

In line with the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010, local authorities must:

• Stay in regular contact with the young person;
• Complete a Needs Assessment (unless already completed when they were Eligible);
• Develop and review a Pathway Plan;
• Appoint a Personal Adviser (unless already appointed);
• Provide accommodation and practical assistance to support their education, training, or employment.

This support continues until the young person turns 18, ensuring they are not left to navigate this transition alone.

They are aged 16 or 17 and are no longer Looked After, having previously been in the category of Eligible Young Person when they were 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, they will no longer be a "relevant young person".

A young person is also "relevant" if, having been looked after for 3 months or more, they are 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.

The local authority is required to stay in touch with the young person, undertake a needs assessment (unless this was done when the young person was 'Eligible'), prepare and keep the Pathway Plan under review, appoint a Personal Adviser (unless this was done when the young person was 'Eligible') and provide accommodation and assistance to meet their needs in relation to education, training or employment (see Regulations 4 to 9 of the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010).

These are young people aged 18 or over who were previously Eligible, Relevant, or both. They have already taken significant steps toward independence, and the local authority remains committed to supporting their continued growth and success.

Under Regulations 4 to 9 of the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010, the local authority must:

• Maintain contact with the young person;
• Keep the Pathway Plan under review;
• Continue the support of a Personal Adviser;
• Provide financial assistance to support employment, education, or training;
• Offer a Higher Education Bursary if the young person is pursuing higher education in line with their Care Plan;
• Provide additional support—either in kind or, in exceptional cases, financial—based on the young person’s welfare needs.

These duties continue until the young person turns 21, or longer if they are engaged in a programme of education or training outlined in their Pathway Plan.

Former Relevant Young People in Education or Training

For those pursuing or intending to pursue further education or training, the local authority must:

• Assess their needs to determine appropriate support;
• Prepare or update their Pathway Plan;
• Provide financial assistance, which may include:
  • Contributions to living expenses;
  • Grants for education or training-related costs.

This support extends up to the young person’s 25th birthday. The level of support is tailored to the individual’s course type, income, and aspirations. Young people aged 21 to 25 can resume support from their Personal Adviser at any time, following a discussion about their needs. The level of planning and assessment should reflect the young person’s circumstances, with professional judgement guiding the response.

They are aged 18 or above and have left care having been previously either "Eligible", "Relevant" or both. The local authority is under a duty to consider the need to support these young people wherever they are living.

Under Regulations 4 to 9 of the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010, there are statutory requirements for the local authority to stay in touch with the young person, keep the Pathway Plan under review, continue the appointment of a Personal Adviser and provide financial assistance near where the young person is employed or seeking employment/to enable the young person to pursue education or training.

If the Former Relevant child pursues higher education in accordance with their Care Plan, there is a duty on the local authority to pay a higher education bursary.

To the extent that the Former Relevant child's welfare requires it, 'other assistance' must be provided by the local authority which may be in kind or, in exceptional circumstances, in cash.

These duties continue until the former relevant child reaches 21 or, where the child's Pathway Plan sets out a programme of education or training which extends beyond their 21st birthday, they continue for so long as the child pursues that programme.

1.3.1 Former relevant children pursuing further education or training

Specific duties are placed upon the local authority in respect of Former Relevant children who inform the local authority that they are pursuing, or intend to pursue, a programme of education or training. The local authority must:

• Carry out an assessment of the needs of the Former Relevant child with a view to determining what assistance (if any) it would be appropriate for the local authority to provide;
• Prepare a Pathway Plan;
• To the extent that the Former Relevant child's educational or training needs require it, provide financial assistance by:
  • Contributing to living expenses; or
  • Making a grant to meet expenses connected with the education and training.

These duties continue up to the Former Relevant child's 25th birthday.

In each case where a care leaver requests this support for education purposes, the local authority will need to assess the appropriateness of the course and how it will help the young person to achieve their ambitions. The extent of the practical and financial assistance provided will reflect the type of course, whether full - or part-time, and the young person's existing income.

Care leavers between the ages of 21 and up to 25 who, following a discussion with their Personal Adviser, wish to continue to receive support, or those who return later during this period, will have an entitlement to resume support from a Personal Adviser previously responsible for their leaving care support. In some instances, care leavers will continue to require considerable support and need a comprehensive Pathway Plan, whilst others may require more focussed support with only the relevant sections of the Plan completed. Personal Advisers should apply professional judgement when deciding what level of needs assessment is appropriate.

These young people are aged 16 to 20 (or up to 25 in some cases) and may not meet the criteria for Eligible, Relevant, or Former Relevant status, but still have a care history that warrants support. They may:

• Be subject to a Special Guardianship Order (and were looked after immediately before it was made);
• Have been looked after, accommodated, or fostered after age 16;
• Have been privately fostered.

The local authority has a duty to take reasonable steps to contact and offer advice and assistance to these young people, recognising their unique journeys and potential.

Support may include:

• Practical advice and emotional support;
• Financial assistance (including for accommodation or living near education/training/employment);
• Help securing vacation accommodation for those in full-time education up to age 25.

Before ending care for a 16- or 17-year-old who is not under a Care Order, the Director of Children’s Services must be satisfied that:

• The young person’s wishes and feelings have been considered;
• The Independent Reviewing Officer has been consulted;
• The young person’s relatives have been consulted, where appropriate.

They are over aged 16 and over and under the age of 21, and are:

• Subject to a Special Guardianship Order (or were when they reached 18) and were looked after immediately before the making of that Order;
• At any time after 16 (but whilst still a child), were (but no longer are) looked after, accommodated or fostered;
• Privately fostered but do not qualify as Eligible, Relevant or Former Relevant.

Where a local authority looked after, accommodated or fostered a young person, and they are deemed as Qualifying for advice and assistance, the local authority has a duty to take reasonable steps to contact them with a view to advising and assisting them.

They may receive support, advice and assistance (including, in exceptional circumstances, cash or accommodation) wherever they are living.

This includes financial assistance in relation to expenses incurred in living near the place where the young person is, will be, or is seeking work or where they will be receiving education or training; or where the person is in full time further or higher education, is under the age of 25 and qualifies for advice and assistance, or would have done if he was under 21, assistance in relation to securing vacation accommodation.

Any decision to cease looking after a child aged 16 or 17 who is Looked After other than by virtue of a Care Order, must be approved by the Director of Children's Services. The Director must be satisfied that:

• The child's wishes and feelings have been ascertained and given due consideration;
• The child's Independent Reviewing Officer has been consulted;
• The child's relatives have been consulted, where appropriate.

A Personal Adviser (PA) is a trusted adult appointed to support a young person from their 16th birthday if they are a Relevant or Former Relevant young person. The PA plays a central role in helping the young person prepare for independence and navigate life after care. Their relationship is built on trust, consistency, and respect—recognising the young person’s lived experiences and supporting their aspirations.

The PA contributes to the Pathway Plan, working alongside the young person and other professionals to ensure their voice is heard and their goals are prioritised. They coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure a joined-up approach to support.

Where accommodation is provided under Section 23B or 24B of the Children Act 1989, the PA must:

• Visit the young person within 7 days of the accommodation being provided;
• Visit again before the Pathway Plan is reviewed;
• Continue visiting at intervals of no more than 2 months.

The level of involvement from the PA will vary depending on the young person’s needs and preferences. However, they should always be kept informed of the young person’s progress and wellbeing, offering consistent, trauma-aware support throughout the transition to adulthood.

A Personal Adviser is the person appointed to work in relation to the Relevant child or Former Relevant child, on the young person's 16th birthday, and has a key role in preparing the young person for independence and providing support after they cease to be looked after. They will hold a pivotal role (where applicable) in the assessment, planning and review of services as set out in the Pathway Plan, and will co-ordinate with other agencies as necessary.

Where accommodation is provided to a young person by the responsible authority under section 23B or section 24B of the Children Act 1989, the Personal Adviser must visit the Relevant child or Former Relevant child at that accommodation:

• Within 7 days of the accommodation first being provided;
• Subsequently, before the Pathway Plan is reviewed; and
• At subsequent intervals of not more than 2 months.

The extent to which the Personal Adviser becomes the main source of advice and support to the young person will vary according to individual circumstances.

They should be kept up-to-date with the young person's progress and wellbeing.

All young people who are Eligible, Relevant, or Former Relevant must receive a multi-agency assessment of their needs. This assessment is a key opportunity to recognise the young person’s strengths, understand their experiences, and plan for the support they need to thrive.

The social worker leads this process, which must be completed:

• Within 3 months of the young person’s 16th birthday, or
• Within 3 months of becoming Eligible or Relevant, if later.

The assessment draws on the young person’s Care Plan and other recent assessments. It must be inclusive and participatory, ensuring the young person is invited to all meetings and their views are central.

The assessment should consider input from:

• The young person;
• Parents or family members (where appropriate);
• Residential staff or carers;
• School or college staff;
• Independent Visitors;
• Health professionals;
• The Personal Adviser;
• Any other relevant individuals, including Adult Services if the young person has additional needs.

This process should be sensitive to trauma, culturally aware, and focused on empowering the young person to shape their future.

Lancashire Children's Social Care Procedures Manual, Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood Proceduire

All Young People - Eligible, Relevant or Former Relevant - must receive a multi-agency assessment of their needs covering the advice, assistance and support they will need when leaving care.

The young person's social worker will be responsible for coordinating the Needs Assessment.

This assessment should be completed no more than 3 months after the young person's 16th birthday or after the young person becomes Eligible or Relevant if this is later. The young person's Care Plan together with information from other recent assessments will form the basis of the Needs Assessment.

The young person's social worker will be responsible for recording the assessment information and conclusions as well as the outcome of any meetings held. The young person must be invited to any meetings held in connection with the assessment.

The Needs Assessment should take account of the views of the following:

1. The young person;
2. The parents;
3. The current carer, such as residential staff;
4. The school/college and the education service;
5. Any Independent Visitor;
6. Any person providing health care or treatment for the young person;
7. The Personal Adviser;
8. Any other relevant person including, in the case of a young person with special needs, a representative from Adult Services.

Every young person must have a Pathway Plan in place:

• Within 3 months of becoming Eligible, and
• Ideally by their 16th birthday.

The Pathway Plan is a living document that reflects the young person’s goals, strengths, and aspirations. It includes their Personal Education Plan and outlines how the local authority will support them—whether they are living with a disability, in custody, or are an unaccompanied asylum seeker.

The plan must:

• Be written in a way that is accessible and meaningful to the young person;
• Include interpretation or advocacy support where needed;
• Clearly define the roles of all professionals involved, including residential staff;
• Address housing, education, employment, health, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

When a young person is preparing to move into independent living, the housing authority should work jointly with the social worker to provide advice. However, the Children’s Social Care department retains responsibility for securing appropriate accommodation.

Importantly, care leavers should not be treated as homeless to trigger housing duties under the Housing Act 1996. Instead, transitions should be planned, supported, and safe, with protocols in place to prevent homelessness and respond quickly if it occurs.

All young people will have a Pathway Plan in place within 3 months of becoming Eligible and, wherever possible, a Pathway Plan will be in place by the young person's 16th birthday.

The Pathway Plan will include a young person's Personal Education Plan. Each young person will be central to drawing up their own Pathway Plan setting the goals and identifying how the local authority will help meet them, including any services being provided in respect of the young person's disability or needs arising from being in custody or as a result of entering the country as an unaccompanied asylum seeker. It should be written in a way that meets the needs of the young person, capturing their aspirations and key messages. Young people with particular language or communication needs should be provided throughout the process with appropriate interpretation, translation or advocacy support.

The Pathway Plan must clearly identify the roles of each person and agency with a part to play in supporting the care leaver including the Home - which will have a crucial role as the immediate carers of the young person.

Moving to Independent Living: where a young person is moving into independent living, the relevant housing authority, (either where the responsible authority is or another authority where the young person is planning to move to), should be involved jointly with the young person’s social worker in order to provide advice. However, identifying the appropriate accommodation for the young person will remain the responsibility of the Children’s Social Care department.

It should not be the practice that care leavers are treated as homeless when care placements come to an end in order to place the housing authority under an obligation to secure accommodation under the Housing Act 1996 Act.

Working Together to Safeguard Children highlights the vulnerability of young people who are homeless, or who are threatened with homelessness and emphasises the duty of public authorities to prevent this.

A joint protocol should be agreed between the housing authority and Children’s Social Care to cover arrangements for achieving planned, supportive transitions to independent living; identifying homelessness risk early and acting to prevent it, and providing a quick, safe, joined up response for care leavers who do become homeless (see also below).

Corporate Parenting Principles – A Trauma-Informed and Strengths-Based Approach

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 formally introduced Corporate Parenting Principles to ensure that care leavers receive consistent, compassionate, and empowering support from all parts of the local authority and its partners—including District Councils and relevant agencies. These principles are designed to reflect a trauma-informed understanding of young people's experiences and to build on their strengths, aspirations, and resilience.

Corporate parents must:

• Act in the best interests of care leavers, promoting their physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing through trauma-aware practices that recognise the impact of adversity and prioritise healing, safety, and stability;
• Encourage and empower young people to express their views, wishes, and feelings, ensuring they are actively involved in shaping their own futures and that their voices are central to all planning and decision-making;
• Respect and respond to young people’s views, recognising their lived experiences and supporting their right to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them;
• Support access to services—including health, education, housing, and employment—by removing barriers and advocating for care leavers to make the best use of available resources. This includes culturally sensitive and inclusive services that reflect individual needs;
• Promote high aspirations, celebrating each young person’s strengths and potential, and working collaboratively to help them achieve their goals in education, training, employment, and personal development;
• Ensure safety and stability in all aspects of life, including home, relationships, and learning environments. This includes proactive planning to prevent homelessness and support emotional resilience during transitions;
• Prepare young people for adulthood and independent living through personalised, strengths-based planning that includes practical life skills, emotional support, and continuity of trusted relationships—especially during times of change.

These principles must be embedded in everyday practice, with all professionals acting as champions for care leavers, recognising their potential and ensuring they are not defined by their past but supported to thrive in their future.

Corporate Parenting Principles for care leavers were formally set out by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. The Act established that the transition for young people should include and involve not only the local authority providing Children's Social Care services, but also District Councils (where appropriate) and partner agencies. The Principles are:

• To act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of those children and young people;
• To encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings;
• To take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people;
• To help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners;
• To promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes, for those children and young people;
• For those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work; and
• To prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.

All local authorities have a statutory duty under the Children and Social Work Act 2017 to publish and maintain up-to-date information about the services available to care leavers. This Local Offer must reflect a trauma-informed understanding of young people’s experiences and be designed to empower them as they prepare for adulthood and independent living.

The Local Offer should:

• Promote health and emotional wellbeing, recognising the impact of trauma and adversity, and ensuring access to culturally sensitive and inclusive health services;
• Support relationships and connection, including trusted adults, peer networks, and community engagement, to foster resilience and belonging;
• Provide clear pathways to education and training, celebrating each young person’s aspirations and offering tailored support to help them achieve their goals;
• Facilitate access to meaningful employment opportunities, including vocational guidance, mentoring, and financial support where needed;
• Ensure safe, stable, and appropriate accommodation, with proactive planning to prevent homelessness and responsive support when housing needs change;
• Encourage participation in society, empowering care leavers to engage in civic life, advocacy, and decision-making processes that affect them.

This information must be accessible, inclusive, and co-produced with care-experienced young people wherever possible. It should also include services offered by partner agencies, such as health, housing, education, and employment providers, ensuring a joined-up approach to support.

For care leavers in Lancashire, the Local Offer is available through:
Care Leavers Local Offer – Lancashire County Council

All local authorities must publish up-to-date information about the services it offers for care leavers and other services that may assist care leavers in, or preparing for, adulthood and independent living. Particularly: health and well-being; relationships; education and training; employment; accommodation; participation in society. This information should also include relevant services that can be accessed by its partner agencies.

Care leavers local offer - Lancashire County Council