Learning for everyone The Care System and Its

Learning for everyone… The Care System and Its Impact on Children and Young People Diploma for Residential Childcare Unit 19 Learning Outcome 1: Statutory & Legal frameworks for young people leaving care

Learning for everyone… Aims and Objectives The aims and objectives of this presentation are: To ensure that you develop a clear and concise understanding of the types of plans required to support children leaving care. The objective is to develop a skill set that will allow you to present evidence formal assessment of the criteria within this defined outcome

Learning for everyone… Care Act The Leaving Care Act 2000 sets out two main aims Ø To ensure that young people do not leave care until they are ready Ø To ensure they receive more effective support once they have left

Learning for everyone… Care Act Definitions Ø The Local Authority has a duty towards: Ø Eligible: are those Young People still in care aged 16 and 17 who have been looked after for (a total of) at least 13 weeks from the age of 14. Ø Relevant: are Young People aged 16 or 17 who have already left care, and who were looked after for (a total of) at least 13 weeks from the age of 14, and have been looked after at some time while 16 or 17.

Learning for everyone… Care Act Definitions Ø The Local Authority has a duty towards: Ø Former relevant: are Young People aged 18 -21 who have been eligible and/or relevant Children In Care Young People who are looked after by a Local Authority either through a compulsory Care Order or remanded or accommodated by voluntary agreement including accommodation under section 20 of the Children Act.

Learning for everyone… Duties under the Care Act Aged 16 -18 Ø Duty to ensure pathway plan is in place by 16 th birthday Ø Duty to make assessment and meet needs Ø Duty to provide financial support Ø Duty to provide Personal Adviser Ø Duty to ensure accommodation Aged 18 -21 Ø Duty to maintain contact and to provide support through Personal Adviser Ø Duty to assist with costs of education, employment and training

Learning for everyone… Duties under the Care Act Aged 21 and over Ø Duty to 18 -21 year olds continues if still in education or training Ø Duty to ensure vacation accommodation for higher education Responsibility Ø The last Local Authority to look after the Young Person is the Local Authority responsible for meeting duties under the Leaving Care Act wherever the Young Person may be living in England or Wales.

Learning for everyone… Pathway Plans Social Services must prepare a pathway plan. This plan should look at the young person's need for support and assistance as identified in the assessment and how these needs will be met until the age of 21 (or longer when the Young Person is in education or training). Ø Areas covered will include: Ø Accommodation Ø Practical life skills Ø Education and training Ø Employment Ø Financial support Ø Specific support needs Ø Contingency plans for support if independent living breaks down

Learning for everyone… Personal Advisor Each young person covered by the act will have a personal adviser. The Personal Adviser: Ø Does not have to be a Social Worker. Ø Will not be a budget holder. Ø Will have close links with Connexions The Personal Adviser will be involved in: Ø Providing advice and support Ø Drawing up the pathway plan and ensuring it addresses any changing needs Ø Keeping in touch with the young person Ø Co-ordinating services, linking in with other agencies

Learning for everyone… Financial support and claiming benefits Most 16/17 year old care leavers will not be able to claim benefits. Therefore, for as long as a Young Person is a relevant child the responsible Local Authority will be his/her primary source of income. Financial support provided will include the cost of: Ø Accommodation Ø Food and domestic bills Ø Pocket money Ø Transport costs for education and training Ø Clothing Ø Childcare costs he support will be co-ordinated by the Personal Adviser.

Learning for everyone… Leaving Care Ø The Pathway Plan, which is formulated when a young person enters acer, sets out the ambitions and route to the future for young people leaving care and sets out how their needs will be met in their path to independence. Ø The plan will continue to be implemented and reviewed after they leave care at least until they are 21; and up to 24 if in full time further or higher education.