Leaving Care

Leaving care refers to the process of young people transitioning out of the care system once they reach a certain age. These are individuals who have been under the care of the local authority (often through foster care, residential care, or other arrangements) because they could not live with their birth families due to various reasons, such as abuse, neglect, or family breakdown.

When young people in care reach a certain age, usually 18 (though it can be extended to 21 or even 25 in some cases), they are no longer legally required to be in care and are considered "care leavers." This transition period can be a challenging time for care leavers as they need to adjust to living independently without the support of the care system.

The leaving care process is designed to provide support and guidance to care leavers during this critical period of their lives. Local authorities have a legal obligation to offer support to care leavers, which can include assistance with housing, education, employment, healthcare, and emotional support. This support aims to help care leavers develop the necessary life skills and self-sufficiency to thrive as independent adults