Preparation for Independence

The Local Authority has a legal duty to provide advice and assistance with a view to preparing a child for when he or she is no longer looked after. Throughcare is the process by which the Local Authority plans and prepares young people for moving on. Aftercare is the provision of advice, guidance and assistance after a young person has moved out of care.

“Being a carer means that your family keeps growing over the years... including extra grandchildren at Christmas.”
- Angus carer

All young people who will be leaving care after their school leaving date must have a Throughcare and Aftercare plan (pathway plan). This plan sets out the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in preparing the young person for the move, including what continuing support will be available. Foster carers play a vital role in this process not least by supporting the child to remain in placement until they are mature and ready to move on to their own independent accommodation.

Throughcare support and preparation will include opportunities for the young person to develop self care skills such as cooking, shopping, laundering their own clothes and managing their money. Equally important is the encouragement and support the young person receives to ensure they are considering appropriate opportunities for further education, training or employment. Consideration should also be given to the young person’s use of their social and leisure time. Carers have an important role to help young people address these issues in preparation for living independently.

All young people leaving care will have an identified support person from the Throughcare and Aftercare team who will co-ordinate the range of support identified in the pathway plan.

The availability of a network of supports to young people once they have left care is a crucial factor affecting the extent to which their transition to independent living will successful. The continuing advice, support and friendship carers frequently extend to young people after the end of a foster placement is therefore of great importance.

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