Before
you are 16 you should
have talked with your
key worker about things
like:
When
you are going to leave
care.
Where
you are going to stay.
Handling
money.
Education,
training or work.
Friends,
family and relationships.
Staying
healthy.
Tips
on living alone.
Support
if you are disabled.
This
should involve creating
'Pathway Plans', which set
out what you, the Council
and other agencies will do
to help you make the
transition from care to
more independent living.
Under
the Children (Scotland)
Act 1995 the Council
had a duty to help you
plan your move out of
care, and to provide you
with your accommodation
until you are 21, or maybe
24 if you are in full time
education.
The
important thing is to get
good advice on your rights
and the support you are
entitled to.
Your first move out of
care could be into supported
accommodation to help
you prepare for when you
move on to your own
tenancy.
If
you are 16 or 17 and were
previously in residential
or foster care it is
likely that the Council
will provide you with
financial support and pay
your rent direct to your
accommodation
provider.
Speak
with your throughcare
worker about how much
financial support you may
be entitled to, how you
will receive it and how to
go about getting it.
Some
young people will need to
apply for benefits through
Jobcentre Plus. This
will include young people
who have a disability, who
are lone parents or who
are over 18.
If
the house you get when
you leave care doesn't
work out and you end up
with nowhere to stay,
you should go to the Council
and tell them that you
are homeless. You should
also get in touch with
your social worker.
If this happens you must
be 100% sure that the
person who interviews
you knows that you have
been in care. This will
mean that you are considered
to be in ‘priority
need' and the Council
will have to provide you
with a house. It's your
right so make sure you
get it.
