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Leaving Care
You may be entitled to Leaving Care Service if you are in care, or have been in care, for 13 or more weeks beyond age 14. To find out, speak to your social worker or contact your Somerset Social Services (Children's Social Care) on 0845 345 9122.
If you are entitled to a leaving care service you will have the support of a leaving care worker.
A social worker will introduce you to your leaving care worker who can help you move towards independence. Support runs until you are 21 or, if you continue studying, until you are 24.
Your leaving care worker can help with issues such as:
| |  | education | | | | employment | | | | training | | | | money | | | | health | | | | accommodation | | | | confidence |
Your pathway plan is an important part of this. All young people in care, or who have left care, must have a pathway plan by age 16. It is reviewed regularly until you are 21 (or 24 if you are in higher education). Pathway plans help you to focus on your future plans by outlining who will do what and when they will do it.
Leaving care entitlements
Help you can receive comes under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2001.
If you are 16-17 year old care leaver
Somerset Social Services (Children's Social Care) will pay you a weekly living allowance (in place of the state benefits you are unable to claim). This is paid at the same rate as normal benefits.
Exceptions are single mothers who can claim income support (with their housing costs being met by social services).
Social Services (Children's Social Care) will work with you to find appropriate accommodation and will also pay your housing costs (but you may have to pay a top up rent to your landlord if required).
If you continue with education, or go into training, you will also receive a payment for regular attendance (with your attendance being checked by your leaving care worker).
If you are an over 18 care leaver
You will need to contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060 704 for advice and applications for benefits
For housing benefit contact your local district council (see Your Town/Area)
Social services will work with you to find appropriate accommodation.
If you continue with education, or go into training, you will also receive a payment for regular attendance (with your attendance being checked by your leaving care worker).
Useful contacts
Somerset Social Services (Children's Social Care) For local offices phone 0845 3459122 or see the Your Town/Area section of this website. In an emergency, out of office hours, contact the emergency duty team on 01458 253241 or through any police station.
Looked After Somerset www.lookedaftersomerset.org.uk – lots information and advice for children and young people who are looked after in Somerset. Includes information about your rights and access to education, health services and support once you leave care.
Who Cares Trust www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk - information for young people who are, or who have been, in residential or foster care
YMCA www.ymca.org.uk – can help with supported accommodation, moving towards independent living, training and leisure. Check with individual centres for details and see Your Town/Area for YMCAs in Somerset.
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