'Moving on' from care into adulthood: consultation

Forms of support for care leavers moving into adulthood

Peer support and maintaining lifelong links

Children told the Independent Care Review of their need for safe, loving and respectful relationships. The report noted that these relationships can only exist when carers are permitted to form meaningful connections based on instinct and judgement and those in care are supported to form lifelong links with their carer, when appropriate. The review goes on to stress that these relationships are about developing and nurturing relationships as opposed to professionalising the process.

Programmes such as Lifelong Links, where a trained coordinator works with children and young people to find and safely connect with relatives and others who care about them shows it leads to a stronger sense of identity for children and young people, more stability in their living arrangements, better mental health, and more positive relationships they can rely on.

Peer support works alongside the care provided by a corporate parent to offer a wider range of scaffolding options. Young people speak about the importance of peer support. Peer support can offer a community and sense of belonging as a young person or caregiver. This type of support could be particularly helpful in supporting people leaving care and their caregivers during transition stages.

26. In what ways would you like to see peer support used by people leaving care and/or caregivers during a young person’s transition from care into adulthood? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

27. Do you know of any examples where peer support networks have had a positive impact on the experience of leaving care, either for care leavers or those who supported them? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

28. How can we better enable young people and the supportive adults in their lives to maintain healthy relationships once the young person has moved on from care? Please provide any suggestions or examples you may have.

Out-of-hours services providing support and advice

Support in the transition to adulthood is needed for all young people, but particular attention must be given for a young person who is transitioning from care and into adulthood. We understand during this period there may be an increased need for advice and support as the young person navigates independence. Most services are not available every day or at all times of the day, which can mean young people and the adults who support them do not necessarily have access to support at the point of need.

29. What types of support and advice do you think should be available to care leavers as part of an out-of-hours service? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

Health and wellbeing

Children and young people who are care experienced can face adverse health outcomes such as the risk of higher mortality, hospitalisations related to mental health, chronic conditions and injuries. Evidence has shown that when young people move on from care to adult life, their health and wellbeing needs can increase; and the transition from child to adult services may present additional challenges at a time when a young person is already experiencing many changes as they move towards independence.

People who are care experienced may need help from a wide range of services to support both their physical health and mental wellbeing. It is essential that services are readily available and accessible, as well as being tailored to the needs a young person leaving care and moving towards towards adulthood and more independent living.

During the transition phase, people leaving care may need to contact a variety of services to support their physical and mental health and wellbeing, and it is crucial that appropriate health services are readily available and accessible to support individuals during the transition to adulthood.

The Promise tells us there must be criteria free, community based access to therapies that do not stigmatise, but help and support children and young adults to work through difficulties they are facing. There must be greater availability of family therapy, for all families (kinship, foster, adoptive, family of origin) so that accessing support is not stigmatised, but seen as something that a range of families may require throughout life.

Access to timely, appropriate therapies must be available to, but not limited to, those who have experience of care. Many care experienced children and young adults told the Independent Care Review that they were unable to access mental health support at the point it was needed. They were often required to be ‘stable’ before receiving a service, with long waiting times and limited services not providing what they needed.

30. What improvements do you think could be made to ensure care leavers have access to services which support their physical health, and mental health and wellbeing? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

31. What improvements do you think could be made to ensure a smooth transition is made between children and adult physical health services, mental health services and wellbeing services? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

Housing

As young people transition into adult life, they must receive support across a range of areas including housing. Research consistently highlights that care leavers are more likely than other young people to become homeless or experience housing instability^[4].

Support for care leavers to access appropriate housing should be inclusive, accessible and bespoke to a person’s individual circumstances, especially where they have additional support needs or a disability.

32. Please tell us about any good practice you are aware of that supports young people leaving care to find a home that meets their needs. Please explain your answer in the open text box.

33. What do you think are the main barriers in securing appropriate housing for a young person with care experience? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

34. How can we ensure there is sufficient support, planning and preparation provided to care leavers moving into their own accommodation for the first time? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

35. What forms of support do you think would help someone leaving care and entering their first tenancy to stay in that property for as long as they want to? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

36. How can we ensure the views and needs of people leaving care are taken into account when decisions are made about where they should live when they leave care? Please explain your answer in the open text box.

Further and Higher education

Care-experienced young people and adults studying below HNC level are entitled to a College bursary of up to £9000 each year. For care-experienced adults entering Higher education, the Student Awards Agency Scotland Care Experience Student Bursary of £9000 each year is available to care experienced people with no age restriction. In addition, a Summer Accommodation Grant of up to £1,330 is available to support care-experienced students with their accommodation costs through the summer break. Some institutions may also offer discretionary support for childcare and travel costs or rent guarantees for private accommodation.

Every University in Scotland guarantees care experienced applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements a place on their chosen undergraduate course. Care experienced students in Higher Education are also eligible for a Special Support Loan of £2,400 from the 2024-25 academic year, bringing the total package of support available to £11,400 each year in Higher education.

37. In what areas would you like to see improvements to the service, support and funding for students who are care experienced? Please explain your answer and provide any suggestions in the open text box.

It is important we support young people in any way we can to help them stay in education and complete their course of study, if that is their preference.

38. How can we better support care experienced students to complete their studies? Please explain your answer and provide any examples of good practice in the open text box.

Employment

We know all young people have different goals when entering adulthood and considering their route into work. This can include employment, self-employment, apprenticeships, training or other education.

39. What would help young people with care experience find secure and fulfilling work, develop their skills or build their confidence? Please provide examples in the open text box.

40. Can you share any examples of good practice, in the private and public sector, where young people leaving care have been supported into employment or training, or have been supported to build their confidence? Please provide examples in the open text box.

41. How do you think employers can be better supported or encouraged to recruit, train, support and retain young people who are care experienced? Please explain your answer in the open text box.