3.11.1 CLA Service - Succeeding into Adulthood |
Contents
1. Introduction
Succeeding into adulthood - CLA Services is a single document outlining the framework and considerable range of services for supporting Southwark's looked after children in preparing for independence and achieving a confident and sound transition into adulthood.
In 2011, the DFE introduced new range statutory guidance which provided a comprehensive framework as to how local authorities should ensure this most vulnerable group of young people are prioritised, supported and valued by the whole council, health and social care system into making successful transitions into adulthood.
"Succeeding into adulthood: - at risk young people achieving well being" is one of Young Southwark's five key priorities.
Following Young Southwark's comprehensive consultation process - ("1000 voices") the journey of young people requiring support to succeed as adults was identified as one of the trust's key targeted areas.
Young Southwark's priority - "young people in care succeed as young adults", states
"You can expect ... more young people in care living in a stable placement, taking up employment, education or training, and managing independent lives successfully. All partners will bring together their services to support those under 22 years of age into adulthood and specialist expertise will be available to ensure those most vulnerable are safeguarded.
We will therefore commission services that:
- Consolidate what is on offer across the council, children's trust and local strategic partnership partners for young people in care aged 16 - 21 to support them to move successfully into adulthood;
- Provide tailored support for those that need it in order to help them succeed into adulthood and be independent;
- Ensure a multi agency response that draws on a range of specialist services and expertise for young people in care with very "complex needs".
2. Succeeding into adulthood CLA Service
This document describes the framework and detailed information for social workers, young people in care, Independent Reviewing Officers, care leavers, Personal Advisers and service partners.
The main service areas contained are as follows:
- Pathway planning at 16;
- Allocation and role of the personal advisor;
- Post 18 support: Southwark's core offer;
- Preparation for independence;
- Living arrangements post 18;
- Financial support;
- Support for post 18 education;
- Higher Education;
- Further Education.
2.1 Pathway planning at 16
The Adolescent and Aftercare Service (children in care and care leavers 13 to 21) was established in 2007 as part of a single service for Southwark's looked after children. Led by a Service Manager, the Adolescent and Aftercare Service (A & AC) provides care planning and integrated support from a variety of partners for all looked after children aged 13-18 (including unaccompanied minors) and aftercare support until the young person achieves the age of 21 (or 25 if continuing to attend university or higher education).
At whatever point a looked after child becomes the responsibility of the A & AC Service every effort is made to assist the young person to achieve a stable placement and to develop a clear sense of their needs and aspirations. Each young person in care has a needs assessment and Pathway Plan drawn up with their social worker at the age of 16. This is regularly reviewed with them by an Independent Reviewing Officer with the involvement of their social worker, placement/carer and significant others. The Pathway Plan at 16 (including the young person's needs assessment) is the foundation document which outlines the priorities and plan to assist the young person in care succeeding into adulthood. This plan should outline the young person's needs with regards to education, employment, training, health, independent skill development and post 18 aspirations.
To support Education / Employment and Training, the following areas should be addressed in the Needs Assessment and Pathway Plan.
- Statement of the young person's aspirations and career ambitions and actions and support to achieve this;
- Access to careers advice;
- Education objectives and support - continued use of the young person's Personal Education Plan;
- Arrangements to support the young person in further education and/or higher education;
- Support to enable suitably qualified young people to enter apprenticeships, make applications to university or gain desired qualifications;
- Clarify the roles of the Personal Adviser, social worker and all other professionals involved in delivering support;
- Arrangements for work experience, career mentoring or pathways into employment etc.
Pathway planning must continue for all Former Relevant Children (i.e. from 18). The plan shall be reviewed every 6 months from 18 to 21 years. As many young people at university will be living away from their home area and previous carers and support networks, the Pathway Plan for each individual care leaver must set out what practical support they can expect from their local authority. These arrangements should include the level and frequency of contact with their Personal Adviser.
Where young people are continuing with an education or training course beyond their 21st birthday, the practical and financial support being provided must continue to be set out in their Pathway Plan.
Pathway Plans are reviewed by Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO's) up to the age of 18. In some circumstances IRO's may continue to chair these reviews where transition to independence is complex. After 18 most Pathway Plans will be reviewed by Personal Advisers overseen by their supervisors.
If a young person is not in agreement with their Pathway Plan they should first try to resolve this with their Personal Adviser. If this is not possible or appropriate they can contact the Personal Adviser's manager direct.
The A & AC is committed to ensure young people are fully involved in developing and reviewing their Pathway Plan whilst ensuring six monthly reviews are held on time with clear SMART targets to deliver the necessary supports and progress required.
2.2 Allocation and Role of the Personal Adviser (PA)
Young people will have a Personal Adviser (PA) allocated to them from the age of 17.5. Working alongside the allocated social worker for 6 months the PA will ensure the key elements of the transition of the Pathway Plan are delivered. From 18 it will be the PA's role to advise, assist and befriend the care leaver until they reach the age of 21 or 25 if they are continuing in higher education activities. This is a key leadership role in ensuring care leavers are making a positive contribution in the adult world, remain healthy, achieve economic well being and remain living in suitable accommodation. The PA is expected to meet the care leaver at their place of residence at least every 13 weeks as a minimum standard.
The PA will work alongside the care leaver to continuously develop and deliver their Pathway Plan. The PA will utilise services and key agency professionals to provide support and opportunities to deliver agreed outcomes. The PA is expected to provide clear advice and guidance concerning the benefit system, grants and awards schemes. Where necessary, the PA will provide specialist input to resolve issues regarding status, parenting and maintaining family contact.
Section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 requires that young people previously eligible for leaving care services who resume a programme of education or training after the age of 21 are entitled to continuing support from a PA allocated from their responsible authority.
In this context, the definition of a programme of education or training must be interpreted broadly. For example, this might include options such as: completion of a basic skills course so that the young person has the numeracy and literacy skills needed to compete in the jobs market; take up of a course of further education; take up of a university place; support to enable the young person to complete a recognised postgraduate qualification; or participation in vocational training and apprenticeships.
In every case where a care leaver requests this support, authorities will need to assess the appropriateness of the education or training course and how it will help them to achieve their ambitions. This assessment could well draw on the information about the young person's skills and capabilities, which will have been set out in Pathway Plans up to age 21. The extent of practical and financial assistance provided will depend on the authority's assessment of the young person's needs and will reflect the type of course, whether it is full or part time and the young person's existing income and educational history.
It is possible that young people may seek support to complete a series of education/training opportunities and local authorities will need to assess their need for continuing assistance in this regard. However it should be noted that this post 21 facility is not available to support second degrees or to enable care leavers to access a completely new set of FE learning in addition to previous provision.
The re-instated Pathway Plan must have a specific focus on the support that the individual care leaver will need to be able to meet the education or training goals agreed with their responsible authority.
The duties of the local authority continue for as long as the young person continues to pursue the agreed programme of education. The local authority's duties are as set out in the re-instated Pathway Plan.
2.3 Post 18 support - core offer
The Aftercare Service for care leavers has a number of support initiatives developed with council partners to enhance care leavers achieving economical well being and being able to pursue positive lifestyles, these being:
Apprenticeship Scheme
In partnership with Southwark's organisational development team, the looked after service has developed a protocol to enable care leavers to fully access the Council's
apprenticeship scheme. The protocol has clear targets with regards to Southwark's care leavers accessing apprenticeship placements as a percentage of all apprenticeships on offer. To support this process, each year the Adolescent and Aftercare Service deliver a short preparation course for those care leavers who wish to apply for a Southwark apprenticeship. The CLA Service provides a leadership role (modelling) through the establishment of three apprenticeship posts within the business unit, (IT, finance and group work). To support care leaver apprenticeships successfully completing their training and placements, there are designated lead officers within the Aftercare Service and organisation development who track progress and intervene at an early stage should any problems develop.
Coaching Scheme
In partnership with Southwark's organisational development team, a pilot project was successfully delivered in 2009 which allocated care leavers with Senior Southwark Managers who wished to coach care leavers. Specific training was provided for Southwark Managers as to coaching/mentoring skills for vulnerable young adults the needs of care leavers. The pilot scheme was reviewed and annual matching of care leavers and coaches is undertaken each May.
Drop In Service
In January 2010 the Adolescent and Aftercare Service introduced a "drop in" service.
The drop in service is a key initiative delivered in partnership with Southwark's youth work service (TYS) to maintain contact with the most difficult to engage children in care and care leavers aged 16 to 21. The A & AC resource centre is available two days per week for young people who are not engaged in employment, education and training or have been assessed as having raised vulnerability. The service has input and advice from partner workers including specialist nurses, employment advisers, connexions and substance misuse service (Insight). The drop in is provided to maintain contact with vulnerable care leavers to enable the service to continue supporting them and maintaining some momentum towards them regaining access to employment, education and training opportunities.
Housing Protocol
Southwark Specialist services has a long standing protocol with Southwark housing (over 20 years). The protocol enables care leavers to access level 2 priority for Southwark housing at 18 - see Protocol for Joint Work between Housing and Children's Services.
Under leaving care legislation, local authorities are required to provide suitable accommodation for all care leavers. For most care leavers in London this results in care leavers being allocated a house of multiple occupation or a temporary tenancy in the private market. Through Southwark's protocol with housing (including supporting people) Southwark is able to offer a tenancy (twelve month probationary tenancy in keeping with all Southwark policy) at 18 which provides suitable accommodation at affordable rental costs. For all young people who are deemed to be vulnerable at 18 and require additional support, Southwark housing allow the children looked after service to have a designated number "supporting people" placements which provide up to 2 years supportive housing until the young person is ready and able to cope with their own tenancy.
Southwark Works and Connexions
The Adolescent and Aftercare Service have an active partnership with Southwark Connexions and Southwark Works to provide allocated staff who are able to target the most vulnerable care leavers who may struggle to access the employment, education and training. In partnership with the Virtual School, co-located connexions and employment advisers identify the young people who do not have firm plans and directly intervene to help young people (16+) clarify their pathways and access special projects to help then engage and prepare. The impact of these partnerships and protocols are measurable through attainment levels at 18 and those who are accessing employment, education and training at 17 and 19 (key performance indicators). The CLA Services ability to maintain its current employment, education and training levels in the current economic circumstances reflects the impact of these partnerships.
Group Work
The CLA service has a group worker who is able to deliver a range of activities and learning opportunities for young people in care and care leavers. This acts as a focal point for partners who wish to deliver key health and developmental inputs for looked after children and care leavers. Examples of the impact of group work can be seen through the delivery of sexual health promotional activity and the Harvard Future as well as more social events such as black history month (Windrush) and the young people/staff choir (CLA celebration ceremony).
Fusion Partnership
Southwark's leisure centre contractor Fusion is committed to providing a targeted service for looked after children and care leavers. Fusion offer 150 "gold" memberships which enable free access to gym, swimming and aerobics classes as many times per week as the young person requires. The "gold" fusion card is available for looked after children and care leavers from the age of 14 - 20 years renewable on an annual basis subject to usage.
Facilities
From March 2012, the CLA Service will be located on a single site at Talfourd Place. The facilities available at Talfourd Place will include a specially designed suite of rooms to support group work and employment, education and training activities. This will include a bespoke IT facility to enable partnership activity with Southwark College, Connexions Advisers, Employment Advisers and the CLA Virtual School.
2.4 Preparation for Independence - developing skills
Pathway Plans, required from the age of 16, outline how placements and carers from the age of 16 will provide advice and guidance on budgeting, cooking and paying bills. Nearly 50% of care leavers move to a semi independent at some point during their 17th year which enables them to live semi independently for between 6 and 9 months with a named key worker in expertise in this area. Southwark has a commissioning strategy which provides a range of services of semi independent provision to meet assessment need.
In a similar way foster placements are also required to deliver a range of activities and opportunities from the age of 16 to facilitate and develop young people obtaining life skills and awareness for the challenges of independent living.
The Pathway Plan is reviewed every six months, chaired by the IRO, who is able to check progress against agreed milestones and where appropriate challenge the foster carers or placement.
If the young person has not developed sufficient skills to live independently then options may be available to extend arrangements beyond 18 to provide further input and support (through supporting people or staying put schemes -see Section 2.5, living arrangements post 18)
The A & AC Service has identified a number of significant initiatives to assist young people to develop their skills between the age of 16 and 18, these being:
- Required bank account from 16;
- Direct payment of personal allowances into bank account for all 17 year olds;
- Access to A & AC Connexions Officer, Employment Adviser and Virtual School to develop employment and further education routes;
- Group work programme targeted at developing independent skills;
- Special programmes run by semi independent providers (managing a tenancy avoiding eviction, distress to neighbours etc);
- During their 17th year, if a young person has not succeeded in accessing employment, education and training or other positive activities and will not engage with their placement, social worker and Personal Adviser and key worker, a special review will be required to address the issue and reach a formal agreement. In such cases there will be a clear peer agreement document which will be signed by young person, placement and A & AC service at 17 outlining the core offer (see Pathway Plan and core offer) of support towards employment, education and training, independence training and suitable accommodation. This clearly also requires commitment from the young person and workers to do all they can to ensure they are fully prepared.
Private tenancies (may sometimes be a house of multiple occupation) are also used for unaccompanied minors care leavers and other care leavers who have no access to public funds due to immigration status. This is very much seen as a temporary arrangement post 18 pending determination of legal status. As soon as legal status is determined (permanent leave to remain) then the care leaver is able to access a council tenancy under the care leaver/housing protocol.
NB: Care leavers who are previously unaccompanied minors or who have no recourse to public funds may not in some circumstances be able to claim housing benefit. This will also preclude them from accessing supporting people. In such circumstances the A & AC Service will engage its semi independent providers to arrange post 18 accommodation with additional support which as far as possible will match specialist supporting people arrangements. As soon as status is resolved then the care leaver is eligible for supporting people and state benefits which can broaden their options.
2.5 Living Arrangements Post 18
Southwark is committed to ensuring that all care leavers have appropriate accommodation and more importantly are able to develop the skills to successfully manage their own living environment.
Young people enter the care system at various stages in their live and have different life experiences which might prepare them for independent living. The Pathway Plan will identify at an early stage what independence skills the young person requires to make a successful transition into post 18 living and whether the care leavers might require additional support beyond the age of 18.
To provide a flexible and tailored service post 18 for all care leavers Southwark has identified a range of service partnerships to enable young people to assume independence when they are able to best manage this. These are as follows:
- Council Tenancy;
- Supporting people (supportive living arrangements to further develop independent skills in a safe environment);
- Private Tenancy;
- "Staying put" with foster carer;
- House in Multiple Occupation;
- Supportive Lodgings Scheme;
2.5.1 Council Tenancy
Southwark's looked after service has a long standing protocol with housing services to deliver tenancies for care leavers. It should be noted however this arrangement is based upon a clear assessment and demonstration that the young person is equipped to manage their own council tenancy including relationships with neighbours and the local community. The protocol allows care leavers to access their own tenancy through a housing priority nomination system whereby the care leaver can bid on line to identify the tenancy of their own choice. The banding of care leavers is sufficiently high so that young people can usually be allocated an accommodation within eight weeks of receiving their bidding number (unless they are being extremely limited with regards to their location/type of preferred accommodation).
The protocol also enables care leavers to access this arrangement at any time up to the age of 21. This enables young people to confidently attend university or to opt to "Stay Put" with their foster carers by agreement whilst they gain additional self confidence and independent skills. It may be possible in exceptional circumstances for this to happen if agreed well in advance to support HE planning.
Likewise young people may require additional time living in a "supporting people" environment (not possible to remain within a foster placement) where they can acquire additional skills and then can make a successful transition to having their own tenancy.
NB: It should be noted that the initial tenancy is awarded under a 12 month licence agreement, subject to the care leaver demonstrating a capacity to manage rental payments and appropriate community/tenancy boundaries.
It should also be recognised that the allocation of a council tenancy is not a "right" or legal requirement. The regulation is clear that care leavers should be offered "suitable accommodation". This does not automatically mean a council tenancy. Southwark CLA Services recognise the positive partnership with Southwark Housing and will ensure care leavers are appropriately prepared and recognise the challenges of the twelve month licence.
Council Tenancy Access Criteria
The Protocol with Southwark Housing (See Protocol for Joint Work between Housing and Children's Services) is recognised as one of the most positive and constructive arrangements for care leavers in London. The CLA Service value this partnership greatly and therefore are clear that young people approaching the age of 18 must be able to demonstrate their willingness and capacity to manage their own tenancy. In partnership with placement providers and foster carers, the social worker will develop a plan with the young person to develop their independence skills in readiness for living in their own accommodation post 18. There may be some circumstances however where it will be recognised that the care leaver is not ready or able to undertake or manage this responsibility and that a further period of preparation will be required. Accordingly the following criteria have been developed to guide the circumstances where a young person might not be deemed ready to assume their own Southwark council tenancy.
These are as follows:
- Convicted of a relevant sexual offence;
- Attending university (HE) and residing in lodgings/halls until completion of course;
- Unlikely to manage their own tenancy (despite independence training prior to 18) and therefore requiring a transition plan involving supporting people (or transitions panel including the involvement of adult social care services given the young person's significant needs);
- The young person has been in care to Southwark for less than a period of twelve months prior to their 18th birthday (therefore will be provided with support in accessing a private tenancy arrangement including deposit and one months rent);
- The young person has exhibited conduct which would render it unsafe (for themselves or others) to have a tenancy (likelihood of eviction, damage, distress to neighbours etc);
- During 17th year the young person has demonstrated complete non engagement with placement, social worker, personal advisor and key worker with support in accessing employment, education and training or relevant positive activities and independence training provision.
2.5.2 Supporting people
Southwark has a supporting people commissioning strategy to identify a range of provision for young adults living in the community who need additional support. Care leavers are recognised as a priority group under commissioning arrangements. Young people who may be new parents or have difficulty managing finances or organising/developing a positive lifestyle pattern may require additional support from supporting people before being ready to assume their own tenancy.
Supporting people options should be identified as part of the Pathway Plan well before the young person obtains the age of 18 thereby helping the young person make positive choices with regards to the most appropriate supporting people programme and to understand the milestones required for them to be able to manage their own council tenancy.
The supporting people programme provides supportive accommodation for care leavers for a period of up to 2 years where the young person has a protected living environment and weekly access to a support person. This enables the young adult to have a longer period of time to develop the necessary skills to live independently. During this period the care leaver will have access to a Personal Adviser and their Pathway Plan will be reviewed every six months.
2.5.3 Private Tenancy
There are occasions where a care leaver may request a private tenancy. Most often this occurs when a young person has resided in a foster placement outside of London and has made a positive choice to continue to reside in the area close to their extended social network and foster family. Southwark's placement team will work with a number of current preferred providers to develop a specially commissioned tenancy which meets the care leaver's needs (within housing benefit rates). Again this option would need to be identified well before the young person's 18th birthday to enable sufficient time for the placements team to work with the care leaver in identifying an appropriate tenancy at 18.
2.5.4 Staying Put
Staying put is a new arrangement which can, by mutual agreement between carer and care leaver, offer a young person the option of remaining for an extended period of time with their foster carer.
It should be noted that post-18 the carer has a different role with regard to the care leaver. The relationship will move from one of being a carer to one where they are a 'supportive accommodator and legal landlord'. This would represent a new phase of the carer/young person's relationship which would be focused upon enabling the young person to develop to the point of moving to the next stage of their life with greater confidence and skill.
Southwark's staying put arrangement has been developed with a number of key objectives which are:
- To improve care leavers preparedness for living independently through an extended fostering placement beyond 18;
- To provide a personal support environment in familiar surroundings as an alternative to "supporting people" arrangements;
- To provide continuity of placement during year 13 studies until the end of the relevant academic year.
It should be noted that this arrangement can only be discussed with a care leaver and be considered as part of their Pathway Plan and transition arrangements if the foster carer is prepared to offer this service. It is therefore crucial that if the social worker feels the young person needs a staying put arrangement they must have a conversation with the foster carer at least twelve months in advance of the young person's 18th birthday and ensure the foster carer is fully appraised as to the post 18 support requirements and remuneration scheme
Southwark's post 18 staying put support will have a number of key principles/components:
- It is recognised that some care leavers may need to have up to a maximum of 12 months additional "staying put" time before being ready to move to their own independent living arrangements. Southwark's staying put policy will offer a clear framework and remuneration "offer" which does not require the young person to contribute or ask the carer to seek other funding sources or claim benefits;
- The young person in care and foster carer should have an "established relationship" i.e. that the young person has been in placement before they obtained the age of 16 and a strong sense of mutual confidence and trust exists;
- Early planning concerning the issue of "staying put" should, wherever possible, be clearly articulated at the first review post 16 and be integrated into the Pathway Plan where clear independent milestones are identified;
- "Staying put arrangements" should be developed where there is consensus that the young person is not sufficiently equipped with independence skills or confidence to manage independently. The Pathway Plan should then identify how the carer will work with the A&AC Service and other partners to develop the required skill levels before and after the young person's 18th birthday;
- Positive engagement principle. The "staying put" arrangement is an option where the additional security and consistency offered by a foster carer would be made available as a motivating partnership with the young person/care leaver. It would therefore be expected that care leavers who are staying put will be working positively with the carer and engaged in employment, education and training activities. Southwark's staying put arrangements are not a mechanism whereby a care leaver can simply opt out of constructive activities as this could have a negative impact upon the carer/care leaver relationship and other children within the placement/household. Southwark's policy is that a targeted supporting people placement is the more appropriate post 18 arrangement to address issues relating to non engagement and the need to potentially apply boundaries and requirements.
Staying Put Options
To support the delivery of the policy there are several arrangements are available for care leavers at 18 remaining with their carers:
- Arrangement where a young person needs to continue attending college/6th form in Year 13 to complete A levels (or equivalent) in order to access university (or work) at the end of the academic year;
The staying put arrangement would provide a facility for the young person to continue in the foster placement beyond their 18th birthday to complete their academic year (31st August) The allowance for this arrangement would be £250 per week (the personal allowance and celebration arrangements would not be payable);
The young person would be expected to apply for the Education Bursary (£1,200 p.a.); - The young person may reside under staying put with their foster carer for a period of up to 12 months (reviewed at 6 months) following agreement that the young person needs to acquire additional skills or confidence before being able to move to more independent living arrangements. The pathway plan would identify a programme of skill development before and after the young persons' 18th birthday with clear expectations with regards to the development of skills and ongoing commitment to accessing some form of employment, education and training;
The carer allowance for this arrangement would be £150 per week. No personal or celebration allowances would be payable. In such circumstances the young person would be eligible for Education Bursary payments, JSA payments or income from apprenticeships or other part time work.
Post 19 Arrangements
- Any continuation of the staying put arrangement beyond the young person's 19th birthday would have to be on a "supportive lodgings" arrangement whereby the care leaver would need to apply for supportive lodging benefits;
This will require careful planning well in advance by the personal advisor with the care leaver and foster carer should there be a wish to extend the staying put arrangement beyond their 19th birthday;
This will require local knowledge of housing benefits and lodging schemes as most foster carers do not reside within the boundary of the London Borough of Southwark and therefore will be subject to housing benefit policies which are implemented by relevant boroughs or counties. Southwark's A & AC Service will not make any payments to carers after the care leavers 19th birthday. NB: If the care leaver at 19 has no recourse to public funds, then the A & AC service may consider making a weekly lodging payment at the relevant H.B. lodgings rate for that locality; - As part of the university/HE programme, an allowance is payable to care leavers of £1,750 per annum towards their university vacation accommodation costs. If the care leaver and foster carer mutually agree that the staying put arrangement should continue through a three year degree course then the A & AC service would make the annual accommodation payment directly to the foster carer of £1,750.
NB: Southwark also makes an annual grant to the care leaver to cover their transport expenses from their ordinary place of residence to their university. This arrangement would enable care leavers to attend universities in London and the South/South East whilst remaining in their previous foster carer's home.
If the young person wishes to reside in university halls and spend holiday periods in their previous foster placement then their personal advisor will assist the care leaver (if required) in negotiating how much remuneration the carer would require for the holiday periods (i.e. proportion of the £1750 accommodation payment).
2.5.5 House in Multiple Occupation
A house in multiple occupation provides a bedsit/studio arrangement (with en suite arrangements) within a larger property at housing benefit at rates under a tenancy agreement.
Southwark will provide a "Hm O" arrangement for care leavers in the following circumstances: -
- Care leavers with no recourse to public funds;
- Care leavers who have not been able to respond constructively to staying put or supporting arrangements;
- Care leavers who have been previously evicted from a council tenancy, semi independent placement or private tenancy or supporting people arrangement;
- Care leavers who are in foster placement but who are not bidding regularly/appropriately (over an extended period leading the foster carer to ask for a young person to leave - staying put allowance applies post 18).
2.5.6 Supported Lodgings Scheme
In some circumstances the care leaver may decide with their personal advisor that as part of their pathway plan a supported lodgings arrangement would provide the best balance of increased independence whilst remaining in a supporting home environment. Southwark's commissioning services will seek to link with established schemes which can match care leavers with supported lodging arrangements at (H.B rates).
2.6 Financial support and arrangements (16-21)
The A&AC Service provides a range of interventions and training inputs to build the relevant knowledge, skills and resilience of care leavers to effectively manage their finances.
Bank accounts and direct payments for looked after children
From March 2011 a new scheme has been introduced following consultation with Speakerbox and Southwark Fostering Carers Association whereby all 16 & 17 year olds in care should have their own bank account (unless legal status precludes this)
In addition all personal allowances are now paid directly into bank accounts for all 17 year olds and will not be distributed by their foster carer or placement. This will now afford all 17 year olds the opportunity to practice using a bank account for a minimum of 12 months before reaching the age of 18. This will enable young people to become familiar with a regular income each week, how to read bank statements on line and how to anticipate expenditure and income variations.
Partnership with Southwark bank (RBS)
The CLA have an arrangement whereby young people in care and care leavers can open a bank account with permitted documentation. This protocol arrangement is available for young people who do not have sufficient confidence or documentation to open an account.
The protocol is intended to also facilitate bank accounts being available for unaccompanied minors and ultimately for looked after children/care leavers with no access to public funds.
Savings in preparation for leaving care
From March 2011 all young people in care aged 16 & 17 will receive a weekly personal allowance of £45 (previously £55). This reduction in weekly allowance will produce an additional payment of £1,000 as part of leaving care support for looked after children who have been in care from the age of 16.
Leaving Care Grant
The leaving care grant is £1,300. This will be reviewed every two years with the first review scheduled for April 2012.
The leaving care grant is available for the care leaver to equip their first home. This does not necessarily have to be accessed at 18 as some young people may defer setting up home until they have completed higher education or received additional support through "staying put" or "supporting people" arrangements ( see Secrion 2.5, living arrangements post 18).
The personal advisor will work the care leaver to offer advice and guidance as to their requirements and best value.
Home Goods Package
Southwark Children looked after service will have a scheme with a major retail provider to maximise the purchasing power of a proportion of the leaving care grant which would include delivery and installation of cookers etc (often hidden additional costs). NB: This would be an optional arrangement for care leavers.
Emergency Payments and Debt Management
If a young person falls into arrears with utilities, council tax or rent there is a special programme available through the housing department where the care leaver will receive additional support. This scheme can be triggered to work alongside the care leaver to reduce their arrears and avoid the situation deteriorating further. Allocated personal advisors are required to be well informed about the benefits system and how to access loans and grants where appropriate. Care leavers are aware that if they are experiencing real difficulty with their finances they can be issued with an emergency payment by the CLA Service to provide temporary support while negotiations are held with benefits agencies, utilities or landlords. The CLA Service also has a petty cash system which is used for minor emergency payments. It is envisaged that the new arrangements for paying young people directly through their bank accounts will improve this situation as young people will be required to be more informed about budgeting and managing money from a younger age. It is also intended that all emergency payments sought would require a joint evaluation of the care leaver's bank account to track how it was being used.
The development of the drop in service was also introduced as a measure to support young people who may be in financial difficulty. It provides a facility two days each week for the most vulnerable children and care leavers to visit the Adolescent and Aftercare Service for informal support. Whilst accessing input from a range of professionals from employment, education, health and substance misuse agencies, young people can also cook a meal and receive help with laundry and day to day living problems. The drop in provides an early intervention service for care leavers where the personal advisor is concerned that the young person may be isolated, vulnerable and unable to manage their money. Care leavers in such circumstances are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and having a constructive place to go each week to access support, advice and encouragement can be crucial.
In exceptional circumstances a Personal Adviser may make an application to the A & Ac 18+ funding panel chaired by the Head of Service for a one off Section 24 discretionary payment. There are occasions where care leavers may get into debt because of unforeseen circumstances or genuine confusion with housing benefit schemes or trying to negotiate the maze of regulations when attempting to work part time (impact on benefits, housing benefit etc). Exceptional one off payments may be sought to enable creditors (usually landlords or utilities) to defer implementing legal proceedings against a care leaver.
The A & AC 18+ funding panel is the decision making forum to avoid looked after children being evicted as a result of significant arrears. This is only used as a last resort as the personal advisor would usually intervene to ensure that all payments (plus small payments to cover arrears) are made directly to the landlord or utility provider.
The main reason why a care leaver might be evicted from their accommodation would be as a result of unacceptable behaviour (involving neighbours) or significant damage being caused to the property, often caused by visitors invited in by the young person.
Higher Education Support
The A & AC Service has a scheme for supporting care leavers in higher education. The scheme guarantees the following support and financial assistance to care leavers attending university.
- Annual transport/ bike grant of £300;
- Provision of a laptop package at the beginning of the course of up to £450 (if not already provided);
- Annual book and equipment allowance of £100 paid at the beginning of each academic year;
- Information leaflet for care leavers outlining support services available;
- Allocation of personal adviser throughout the course;
- Full funding of required field trips;
- Access to Southwark's coaching scheme for care leavers;
- Support in applying for grants and loans;
- Annual grant of £1,750 towards costs of accommodation;
- Annual higher education bursary totalling £2,000 over three years.
The full range of post 18 education support services are described in another section of this document.
2.7 Support for Post 18 Education
2.7.1 Higher Education
What is Higher Education?
Higher education offers a diverse range of courses and qualifications, such as first degrees, higher national diplomas and foundation degrees. Many courses take place in universities, but a number are also taught at higher education colleges, specialist art institutions and agricultural colleges. Young people can choose to study different courses depending on their preferences: there are thousands of options available that can complement individual skills and interests.
The Learning Skills Council Definition of Higher Education is:
- Higher Education is provision at a higher level than Level 3 qualifications;
- Higher Education takes place primarily in universities and colleges, and can include degree courses, postgraduate courses and Higher National Diplomas.
Within this document the terms Higher Education and University have the same meaning.
Introduction
Leaving care legislation places a duty upon local authorities to support and promote care leavers in education, employment and training. Through the allocation of a personal advisor, advice and practical support can be provided until they reach the age of 21 or 25 if in a continuing course of study.
The process for identifying a university place, finding accommodation, making applications for various financial support packages including course fees is a complex one which may prove daunting to care leavers.
Pathway Planning is key to this process as it will identify the young person's aspirations and how the authority can support them to achieve those goals.
Legal Framework
Under leaving care legislation, Southwark has a legal duty to support young people after they leave care at the age of 18 in employment, education and training until they reach the age of 21. This can be extended until the age of 25 if the young person is in continuing further or higher educational studies (or resource an agreed education or training pathway after 21 if previously outlined and agreed in the needs assessment and pathway plan - see Section 2) .
The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 13th November 2008. The purpose of the Act is to extend the statutory framework for children in care in England and Wales and to ensure that such young people receive high quality care and services which are focused on and tailored to their needs.
The framework for higher education support is found in Care Matters: Time for Change (June 2007) and the implementation plan, Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care (March 2008). Regulations and guidance to support the programme of reform and the Act were implemented in a number of stages between 2009 and 2011.
Finding the right course (HE)
Southwark's Specialist CLA Employment Adviser and CLA Connexions Advisor are best placed to provide care leavers with the information they need to choose, find and apply for a course that suits them, meeting identified need outlined in their needs assessment and Pathway Plan.
Each care leavers Personal Adviser will continue to maintain contact and offer support through the Pathway Plan process, which will include helping with university applications, grant and loan applications, housing and other financial matters.
This support to care leavers continues for the duration of their university course.
Generally, finding a university course takes place as the care leaver is undertaking the final year of their A Levels (or equivalent). There will be times when this is later, for example, an unaccompanied minor who is taking time out to wait for their indefinite leave to remain to come through, before applying to universities. (See final Paragraph Unaccompanied Minors)
Choosing what care leavers want from Higher Education takes research and planning, from starting to think about what they want to study, to planning what to take with them when they start university. The young persons reviews during years 12 and 13 will specifically address HE/FE issues and required actions.
Both the UCAS and Directgov websites give lots of helpful information with regard finding and applying for university courses.
Financial Support (National) (HE)
In general care leavers attending university will usually need to supplement their income through applying for a grant, student loan or working part time. Care leavers will need to pay for the course fees, daily living expenses and term time rent. Most care leavers who attend university find part time employment to supplement their student loan.
In addition there may be circumstances, for example, single mothers and/or disabled care leavers who may also be eligible to certain benefits. To gain further information the Dept. of Work and Pensions website is: Department for Work and Pensions
Care leavers attending university do not have to pay council tax benefit for the duration of their course.
Some higher education courses provide a bursary payment, for example nursing degree courses where the candidate may receive a lump sum of up to £7,000 per year with the fees paid by the university, in those cases the local authority would not provide any additional financial support.
The Pathway Planning process will provide a yearly financial review which outlines what financial support the care leaver already receives, what they may require and how the authority proposes to support them.
Children Looked After Services - Core Offer (HE)
Southwark will guarantee the following support and financial assistance to those care leavers attending university. This is in line with Section 23C of the Children Act 1989. This is paid in addition to any grants or loans applied for by the student.
- Annual transport/bike grant of £300 (NB: universities will generally fund 30% of travel costs);
- Provision of a laptop package at beginning of course £450.00 (supervised spend at PC World at outset of course and if not already provided);
- Annual book and equipment allowance of - £100 - paid at the beginning of each academic year;
- Information leaflet for care leavers outlining support services available;
- Allocation of personal advisor throughout course;
- Full funding of required field trips;
- Access to Southwark's coaching scheme for care leavers;
- Support in applying for grants and loans;
- Annual grant of £1,750 towards costs of accommodation (NB: payable on 15th December during each relevant academic year paid directly to the provider i.e. halls of residence, council landlord, private landlord or private lodgings);
- Annual higher education bursary;
- Year 1 Sept - Sept £700;
- Year 2 Sept - Sept £700;
- Year 3 Sept - June £600.
NB: The core offer does not include course fees, course equipment, unpaid utilities or rent arrears, court fines or additional fares. Payments marked * will be paid on the 15th September at the beginning of the relevant academic year.
Footnote: The definition of Higher Education is described under section 22(1) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 and regulations made under that Act for the purposes of student support. The regulations that set out the courses covered can be found on the Legislation website.
Access to support for Masters, 2nd Degrees, Course Changes
The A & AC service has to ensure that support for Head FE are applied as fairly and efficiently as possible within a challenging financial environment.
Great care will therefore be required in selecting the most appropriate course and university as the A & AC will NOT extend its core offer beyond three years support if a student changes course/university mid stream to start a new degree course. Similarly the A & AC will NOT fund second degrees for care leavers.
If a care leaver drops out of their university degree course (must complete first year minimum), the A&AC Service would consider a subsequent application to undertake another university course by awarding the remaining outstanding "core offer" (i.e. two years) support.
The A & AC Service is unable to offer extended 4th year support for a Masters. However, there may be an occasion where from the outset, the pathway plan identifies that a masters is required to enable the care leaver to pursue their career choice. In such cases, the application for extended support for the Masters will be required at the commencement of the degree (HE) course.Payments (HE)
In line with A&ACS financial policy, relevant awards from CLA Services will be paid directly into the care leaver's bank account at the specified time of the academic year.
All children in Southwark's care are required to have a bank account from the age of 17.
Exceptional circumstances (i.e. extreme financial hardship) may be assessed by the personal adviser through the Pathway Plan Review process and be presented to the 18+ placement panel. A detailed report will be required as to why the current support is inadequate, what steps the care leaver has taken to address their circumstances and how a similar situation might be avoided in future.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking children are eligible for the bursary provided that s/he is not appeals rights exhausted. If this is the case the local authority will not treat UAS care leavers any differently to any other former relevant child. See HE Bursary Regulations at the Legislation website.
The bursary and other financial supports provided are not linked to attendance at university and as such cannot be used as an incentive. However regulation 4(5) does state the following:
"The local authority may withhold payment of any unpaid balance of the higher education bursary during any period when the former relevant child is not pursuing higher education in accordance with the pathway plan".
Course equipment costs in excess of the annual allowance (see core offer) will need to be paid for by the care leaver using their loans, grants, employment pay or personal bursary.
Payments will be managed and triggered by the 17+ panel via reports submitted each July, August and September in readiness for the beginning of the academic year. All applications will need to confirm the legal status of care leavers (grant claimable) No additional payments can be made using petty cash. Any payment to support university is to be managed using the 17+ panel, including exceptional circumstances.
Accommodation
Currently many Southwark care leavers who go onto university will have secured their own council tenancy and most have attended a London university. Under the "core offer" the CLA Service will make an annual payment of £1,750 towards vacation accommodation costs.
There may be occasions when a care leaver prefers to live in halls of residence during term time or live in local lodgings. The provision of an annual accommodation grant will enable care leavers to make choices as to where they live, the costs they incur and whether to seek a council tenancy before or after going to university.
Care leavers who wish to attend an out of London University would need to consider deferring their council tenancy until after they have completed their course (commuting costs will be high).
Unresolved Status - No recourse to public funds
Those young people who have no recourse to public funds may manage to obtain a place in higher education but would not receive financial support from the university or government in the form of grants, loans or fees. The CLA Services therefore, advocate the use of a gap year whilst status is resolved. Once the care leaver obtains leave to remain the Children Looked After Service will support them to attend university from the age of 19 to 22.
Through the Pathway Plan process it will be identified whether a Unaccompanied Minors (Asylum seeker) Care Leaver has obtained 'leave to remain' in the UK. If this is the case they will be entitled to public funds, housing and employment, in addition they can apply for Grants and Loans linked to a course of study at university.
For those young people with no 'leave to remain' at 18 years the Pathway Plan should identify what support the local authority intends to give in assisting the care leaver to gain 'leave to remain', as well as any financial assistance during this period. In addition the care leaver may wish to pursue a course of Higher Education study. The Personal Adviser will assess through Pathway Planning with the care leaver the viability of this and what support the local authority can offer. It may be appropriate for the care leaver to consider deferring their course of Higher Education study for a year to give time for their status in the UK to be agreed.
2.7.2 Further Education
What is further education?
Further Education (FE) covers the types of education that go beyond what has been achieved in compulsory education, but which are not at degree level (Higher Education). Typically, further education includes A levels, AS levels and vocational qualifications.
The largest group of people in further education are those aged between 16 and 19.
Young people can choose to study different courses depending on their preferences: there are thousands of options available that can complement individual skills and interests.
Introduction
Leaving care legislation places a duty upon local authorities to support and promote care leavers in education, employment and training. Through the allocation of a personal advisor, advice and practical support can be provided until they reach the age of 21 or 25 if in a continuing agreed course of study.
Some young people will complete their formal education and move onto study for 'A' level courses and some will want to move onto vocational courses.
The process for identifying a college course, sorting benefits and securing accommodation is complex and can prove daunting to care leavers.
Pathway Planning is key to this process as it will identify the young person's aspirations and how the authority can support them to achieve those goals.
Legal Framework
Under leaving care legislation, Southwark has a legal duty to support young people after they leave care at the age of 18 in employment, education and training until they reach the age of 21. This can be extended until the age of 25 if the young person is in continuing further or higher educational studies (or resource an agreed education or training pathway "previously" outlined and agreed in the needs assessment and pathway plan).
The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 13th November 2008. The purpose of the Act is to extend the statutory framework for children in care in England and Wales and to ensure that such young people receive high quality care and services which are focused on and tailored to their needs.
The framework for higher education support is found in Care Matters: Time for Change (June 2007) and the implementation plan, Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care (March 2008). Regulations and guidance to support the programme of reform and the Act were implemented in a number of stages between 2009 and 2011.
The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 further amended the 1989 Act so that:
- Care leavers under the age of 25 who wish to take up a programme of education or training will have an entitlement to resume support from a personal adviser (PA) appointed by the local authority previously responsible for providing their leaving care support.
Responsibilities for planning continuing support applies to all care leavers until they reach the age of 21 or, if they are being helped with education or training, to the end of the agreed programme of education or training (which can take them beyond their 25th birthday). The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 includes provision so that, where a former relevant child previously entitled to leaving care services wishes to take up additional education or training beyond the age of 21, but before the age of 25, then their responsible authority must ensure that they are allocated continuing PA support.
Finding the right course
Southwark's Specialist CLA Employment Adviser and CLA Connexions Advisor are best placed to provide care leavers with the information they need to choose, find and apply for a course that suits them, meeting identified need outlined in their needs assessment and Pathway Plan.
Each care leavers Personal Adviser will continue to maintain contact and offer support through the Pathway Plan process, which will include helping with college applications, grant and loan applications, housing and other financial matters.
Choosing what care leavers want from Further Education takes research and planning, from starting to think about what they want to study and how this will support future employment. The young persons reviews during years 12 and 13 will specifically address Education, Employment and Training issues and the required actions.
Financial Support (National)
Financial Help for students attending Further Education
Whether young people go into full-time education or work-based learning, they can get financial help with the cost of their studies. This could include help with transport and childcare costs. The type of help young people can receive - and how much money they are entitled to - will depend on their personal circumstances.
Below is a snapshot of the help that is available. More detailed information can be found on the 'directgov' website.
This leads to the young peoples page 'financial help'.
Education Maintenance Allowance
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) has now closed
16-19 Bursary
This scheme has replaced EMA
Students between 16 and 19 years in full time education or training may receive a bursary.
Students most in need will be eligible to receive a maximum bursary of £1,200 a year.
This group includes:
- People in care;
- Care leavers;
- People claiming income support;
- Disabled young people who receive Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.
Unlike the EMA, schools, colleges and training providers will be responsible for awarding bursaries to students. They will also decide when bursaries are paid, and will set conditions that students should meet to receive a bursary, for example, linked to behaviour or attendance.
Childcare Costs
The Care to Learn scheme may be available for parents in England who are under 20 when they start a course.
Looked after children (16-18) and care leavers (18-19) could get help with childcare costs through the Care to Learn scheme if they are in school sixth form, college or on a work-based learning programme.
Adolescent and Aftercare do not fund childcare costs.
Assistance with Transport Costs
Help with the cost of transport to and from college or sixth form (for 16-19 year olds) may be available.
The looked after child or care leaver can apply to the local authority where they reside who may be able to help with costs.
Qualification for help may depend upon age and the place of study.
To qualify for help from the local authority, young people must be aged 16 to 18, or continuing on a course that they started before their 19th birthday
In addition young people must go to one of the following:
- A school sixth form;
- A sixth form college;
- A college of further education.
Each year, the local authority where the young person resides will publish a statement to show the support they could receive. The statement will have information on the services, discounts and concessions available in that area.
Under 19's who are in full-time education or work-based learning could also qualify for free transport on London buses and trams.
See Southwark's policy.
Students over 19 or over may be able to get help with transport costs, through their college or sixth form's Discretionary Support Fund.
The Adolescent and Aftercare Service will support those attending Sixth form schools and colleges and further education. For those aged 16-18 this will be identified in the Pathway Plan and funded through the foster carer or semi-independent provider.
For those aged 18+ the support offered by A&ACS will be included in the Pathway Plan. There is an expectation that young people will contribute a proportion toward the cost of fares.
There is an expectation that care leavers over 19 would contact their college to apply for the 'Discretionary Support Fund'.
Studying away from home
Young people could be entitled to extra help through government grants with their costs if they want to attend:
one of the 51 Specialist Residential Colleges or Centre's, which mainly offer courses in agriculture, horticulture and art and design
specialist courses beyond a daily travelling distance through a national Residential Pilot Scheme - this only applies where there is no course available locally
Discretionary Learner Support Fund
Is available from the FE College the young person is attending. The funds are prioritised for those who face financial hardship. They can be used to help with:
- Financial hardship and emergencies;
- Childcare costs (for Ofsted-registered childcare);
- Accommodation costs, for those who have to study further than the maximum distance from home;
- Essential course-related equipment, materials and field trips;
- Travel costs (for over 18s).
Career Development Loan (CDL)
A Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan. An agreement is made with a participating bank to borrow an amount between £300 and £10,000. Then once the young person has stopped studying, they pay it back in the normal way.
The difference with a Professional and Career Development Loan is that the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) pays the interest on the loan while the young person is studying - and for one month afterwards.
After this, the young person pays interest at the rate fixed when they took out the loan. Interest rates on the loans are set so they're competitive with other 'unsecured' personal loans that are commercially available.
Educational Grants Advisory Service
Some charities and trusts offer financial help, but their eligibility rules vary. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) provides information and advice on sources of funding through their Directory, helpline and website. See Family Action website
Useful publications
- The Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change);
- The Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services);
- The Grants Register (Macmillan Press);
- The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation).
These publications should be available in local libraries.
Benefit Entitlement
Full-time students can't usually claim income-related benefits as well - but part-time students and certain groups of full-time students are sometimes eligible.
However, the rules on eligibility can be complex, and whether young people in further education can get income-related benefits will depend on their personal circumstances.
So even if the young person belongs to a group which is eligible for income-related benefits, this doesn't necessarily mean they will get them as the income they get through student finance may be too high.
The college student adviser will be able to help work out if young people qualify for any benefits.
The Personal Adviser will have good up to date information about benefits that are claimable for full and part time students (up to 16hrs per week).
Both part time and full time students can make JSA claims during the term breaks; this is more practical for the summer break as a claim can take 4-6 weeks to be processed.
Income support - further education and training
Further education
Former relevant young people who remain 'estranged from their family' can claim Income Support on the grounds of being in 'Relevant Education' from his/her 18th birthday until his/her 21st birthday as long as they started or were enrolled or accepted on the course prior to his/her 19th birthday.
The education/training course must be below higher education level and be full time (at least 12 hours of contact time). Lone parents and sick and disabled young people under certain circumstances may continue to be eligible to claim means tested welfare benefits whilst studying full time further education, even if they commence the course after their 19th birthday.
An Adult Learners Grant cannot be paid in addition to Income Support (or any out of work benefits) but can be claimed by those on Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, but will be taken into account when calculating these benefits.
Adult Learning
Care Leavers aged 19 and over who wish to study for a further education course may have to pay a registration cost and the Awarding body fees. This is approximately £200 per academic year. This cost is included as part of the core offer and will be paid at the start of each academic year. This should be included in Pathway Planning with a clear outline of how the care leaver will support themselves throughout the course. It should be remembered that they will no longer be entitled to Income Support unless they have a child/children to care for. Care Leavers will be asked to provide a learners agreement prior to payments being made.
Children Looked After - Core Offer
Those care leavers who continue in their education through 6th form, FE College or an agreed training course will receive the following support:
- Annual payment of £200 toward registration and Awarding body costs at the start of each academic year whilst on an agreed FE course for care leavers aged 19 and over;
- Annual transport/bike grant of £300;
- Provision of a laptop package at beginning of course £450.00 (supervised spend at PC World at outset of course and if not already provided);
- Annual book and equipment allowance of - £100 - paid at the beginning of each academic year;
- Information leaflet for care leavers outlining support services available;
- Allocation of personal advisor throughout course;
- Full funding of required field trips;
- Access to Southwark's coaching scheme for care leavers;
- Support in applying for appropriate funding (16-19 Bursary, ALG etc.);
Payments
In line with A&ACS financial policy, relevant awards from CLA Services will be paid directly into the care leaver's bank account at the specified time of the academic year.
All children in Southwark's care are required to have a bank account from the age of 17.
Exceptional circumstances (i.e. extreme financial hardship) may be assessed by the personal adviser through the Pathway Plan Review process and be presented to the 18+ placement panel. A detailed report will be required as to why the current support is inadequate, what steps the care leaver has taken to address their circumstances and how a similar situation might be avoided in future.
Course equipment costs in excess of the annual allowance (see core offer) will need to be paid for by the care leaver using their loans, grants, employment pay or 16-19 bursary.
Payments will be managed and triggered by the 18+ panel via reports submitted each July, August and September in readiness for the beginning of the academic year. All applications will need to confirm the legal status of care leavers (grant claimable) No additional payments can be made using petty cash. Any payment to support Further Education is to be managed using the 18+ panel, including exceptional circumstances.
Accommodation
Currently most Southwark care leavers who go onto further education will have secured their own council tenancy and have attended a London FE college.
Care leavers who wish to attend an out of London FE College or residential course would need to consider deferring their council tenancy until after they have completed their course (to avoid high commuting and housing costs).
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children/ No Recourse to Public Funds
For those young people with no 'leave to remain' at 18 years the Pathway Plan should identify what support the local authority intends to give in assisting the care leaver to gain 'leave to remain', as well as any financial assistance during this period. In addition the care leaver may wish to pursue a course of Further Education study. The Personal Adviser will assess through Pathway Planning with the care leaver the viability of this and what support the local authority can offer. It may be appropriate for the care leaver to consider deferring their course of Further Education study for a year to give time for their status in the UK to be agreed.
Access to public funds, welfare benefits and other public funds
Financial support for looked after UASC should reflect their needs as looked after young people (eligible care leavers) and their immigration needs. Financial policies should highlight their entitlements and how their immigration status may impact on current and future entitlements.
Pathway plans should address funding arrangements for education and training and how a young person's immigration status may limit education, training and employment opportunities.
Pathway plans should always consider the implications for the young people if their application to extend their leave to remain is refused, or their appeal against refusal of that application is dismissed. In such circumstances the person may become ineligible for further support and assistance because of the effect of Schedule 3 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
Implementation
This policy will be implemented in full from 1st September 2011.
Appendix 1: Definitions of Categories of Children Entitled to Leaving Care Support
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