Support for young people leaving foster care

If you foster or are considering fostering, you might be wondering what happens when your child reaches their late teenage years, and what support they get for living independently and pursuing higher education and careers.

At Beacon Fostering, we support children in foster care from the moment they enter the system, to when they are preparing to leave it. Here are some things you need to know about what support foster children receive.

Assistance from the foster agency and local authority

Your local authority has a responsibility to support young people leaving the care system in seeking housing, employment, training and education. The government, meanwhile, has a law, the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which states that care leavers should receive help from their local council’s Children’s Services until they reach 25.

There are four different groups of young people that are leaving care: eligible (still in care at 16-17), relevant (someone aged 16-17 who used to be in care), former relevant (aged 18-25 who used to be eligible or relevant) and qualifying care leaver (aged 16-25 who was in care for under 13 weeks after they turned 14). Different categories ensure that young people get tailored guidance according to their time in the care system and present circumstances.

Foster family support

Many foster children stay with their foster carers after they turn 18. This is known as ‘staying put’, and is encouraged by local authorities and charities in recognition that many people continue to live with their parents or guardians until their mid-20s or later.

Bursaries

Young people leaving/transitioning out of care are entitled to financial support from their local authority, for education, training and everyday life.