What Next

You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.

You then have to do one of the following until you are 18:

• stay in full time education at school or college

• start an apprenticeship https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Care-Leavers-Guide-to-Apprenticeship_Jan2023-1.pdf

• spend 20 hours or more a week working part-time or volunteering, while in part-time education or training

When you leave care Children’s Services at your local council must make sure you have a Personal Adviser who should help you decide what you want to do next, make sure you’ve got somewhere to live and enough money until you are 18 then continue to support you until you’re 25

If you don’t know who is looking after you at the council put your postcode into this website and get the phone number. When you ring them up ask for Children’s Services https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

This website will tell you what you are entitled to from your local council, including giving you a Personal Adviser to help you plan your life after being in care https://www.gov.uk/leaving-foster-or-local-authority-care

When you meet your Personal Adviser ask them about getting a mobile phone. You will need one to access all the services that are available to help you live an independent life

If you are having problems getting help from Children’s Services you can contact these organisations:

A charity for care leavers called Become on 0800 023 2033 https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/contact

IMO, an organisation run with care leavers with a helpline 0800 528 0731 http://imohub.org.uk/about/

The National Youth Advocacy Service runs a ‘Side By Side’programme to support you as you become independent and help you get what you need https://www.nyas.net/get-support/young-people/

Coram Voice will support you so you can stand up for your rights and get what you’re entitled to https://coramvoice.org.uk/get-help/