If you are aged 16 or 17 and you have been cared for by the local authority for at least 13 weeks in total (which began after your 14th birthday and ended after your 16th birthday) you will be entitled to support as a care leaver. Your social worker or independent reviewing officer can confirm this.  

This does not mean that you will have to ‘leave’ where you are living but will make sure you get the support you need as you move into adulthood.

Pathway Plan

You and your social worker will prepare a Pathway Plan within three months of your 16th birthday.  The plan looks at the support you will need to live independently when you are ready for it.  It is your plan for your future and is much more detailed than your Care Plan.

Your Pathway Plan will include things like where you would like to live as an adult, any education or training you might want, jobs, your money, any cultural or identity needs, your health and your lifestyle.  It will also say what each person has agreed to do to help you get to where you want to be. Your Pathway Plan will also look at practical skills such as cooking, self-care and budgeting.

Your Pathway Plan will be reviewed every six months.  You should not be made to feel that you have to stop being supported before you are ready.  Before any move takes place your Independent Reviewing Officer should check with you and everyone at your review how ready you are for this move and how well you have been prepared.

Pathway Plan at 18 and beyond

At 18 you will continue to have a Pathway Plan and will also have a Personal Advisor until the age of 21.  

The Personal Advisor will offer advice and guidance and will take steps to keep in touch with you.  If you are in further education when you are 21 you may be entitled to continued support from your Personal Advisor.