Preparation and support for leaving care

1. Preparation and support for leaving care findings from a review of young people leaving statutory care

2. Background to our review • Justice wood noted: “greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that care leavers are given adequate assistance and information concerning their entitlements to aftercare assistance… and that sufficient funding be available to provide the assistance needed’. • May 2008: Ministerial guidelines for aftercare assistance were issued. • 2007/08 Children’s Guardian Annual Report found leaving care planning was inadequate.

3. Our group review • We conducted detailed reviews of the circumstances of 51 young people • Reviews were carried out 3-4 months before the young person’s care order expired • Separately we reviewed leaving care plans for 73 other young people who had turned 18 over a 3 month period • Consulted managers from CS, other designated OOHC agencies and aftercare services

4. What we found was working well • Leaving care planning was adequate for half of the group of care leavers • NGOs had good systems in place to commence leaving care planning • Arrangements between CS and ADHC to ensure young people with disabilities and high support needs are supported are working well • Young people with complex and high support needs are prioritised in leaving care planning

5. What we found was not working well • Timeliness of leaving care planning • Engaging young people • Assessing their needs • Developing and approving the leaving care plan • Victim’s compensation • Financial and administrative aspects of planning • Aftercare support

6. Key messages • Plan early • Engage young people and carers • Provide accessible information • Assess comprehensively and review • Understand the guidelines

7. Key Messages - Policies supported by good systems - Collaborative local relationships - Focus on transition not just leaving care date - Focus on everyday as well as big picture - Develop plans that are realistic and deliverable