APPENDIX ONE – MAIN POLICY
PREPARATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
AND AFTER- CARE SERVICES
Policy Procedures and Guidance
Author:
Document No: 000
First Issued:
August 2002
Re-issued
Responsibilities:
Legislation:Children Act 1989 (Especially Section 24)
Children (Leaving Care Act) 2000
Guidance:The Care of Children: Principles and Practice in Regulations and
Guidance
The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations – Vol. 3 Family Placements
especially Section 9 After-Care
The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations – Vol. 4 Residential Care
especially Section 7 After-Care
The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations- Vol. 6 Children with Disabilities
especially Section 16 Transition to Adulthood Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 –
Regulations and Guidance
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
Link Documents:
1. Access to Records Procedures.
2. Allowances for Children Looked After and Young People receiving After Care
Services.
3. Complaints Procedures
4. Criteria for Care Management Service for Adult Physical and Learning
Disability and Mental Health Services
5. Floating Support Contract, Policy and Procedures
6. Housing and Social Services Priority Housing
Nomination Procedures
7. Leaving Care Grant Guidelines
8. LAC Procedures: Statutory Child Care Reviews
9. WALC Leaving Care Guide (for young people)
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CONTENTS
Page
Part One – Introduction and General Information
1.
Introduction
2.
Legislation
2.1.1 Requirements
2.1.2 Principles
2.1.3 Entitlements
2.2
Glossary
A). Children and Young People
a). Eligible children
b). Relevant children
c). Former relevant children
d). Qualifying children and young people over 16
B). Other Definitions
a). Needs Assessment
b). Pathway Plan
c). Pathway Questionnaire
d). Personal Adviser
e). Responsible Authority
3.
Service Aims and Objectives for Leaving Care Services
4.
Leaving Care Services
5.
Eligibility Criteria
6.
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
1. Provision and Planning including Legal Considerations
2. Housing
3. Section 24
7.
Disability and Mental Health
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Part Two – Preparation for Leaving Care
8.
Preparation for Independence for Eligible and Relevant Children and Young
People
9.
Referral of Cases to WALC
10. Needs Assessment
11. Pathway Planning
11.1
The Pathway Plan
11.13 The Pathway Questionnaire
11.14 Reviewing the Pathway Plan
12. Education and Careers Services
12.1
Personal Education Plans
12.2
Education Development Officer and Education Caseworker
12.3
Connexions
13. Peer Mentors
14. Youth Offending
15. Contact with Relevant Young People
16. Financial Assistance
17. Adoption and Residence Order Allowances
18.
Care Placements for 18 –21 Year Olds
19. Transfer to Adult Care Management Services
20. Access to Housing and Accommodation for Relevant, Former Relevant
and Qualifying Young People
Part Three - After Leaving Care Services
21. Vacation Accommodation
22. Crisis Section 24 Payments
23. Contact with the Responsible Authority
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24. Young People with On-going Entitlement to Social Services Support
25. Qualifying Young People Over 16
26. Outreach from Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings
27. Representations Complaints and Advocacy
28. Children’s Rights and Young People’s Participation Officers
29. Access To Records
30. Co-ordination and Monitoring of Services
31. Information, Booklets and Useful Addresses
WALC Website
Useful DOH Publications and Website Addresses
Other Useful Addresses
Useful Booklets
APPENDICES
The Appendices can be found in Exchange Public Folders in the Children and
Families Division Policy and Procedures Directory under the WALC and Leaving
Care sub-folder.
Appendix 1 Section 24 of the Children Act 1989
Appendix 2 Entitlements Under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
1). Eligible Children
2). Relevant Children
3). Former Relevant Children
4). Qualifying Children and Young People Over 16
Appendix 3 (UASC) Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
1). Provision and Planning including Legal Considerations
2). Housing
3). Section 24 payments
Appendix 4 Transfer to Adult Care Management Services
1). Early Notification and those with Special Needs
2). Reviews, Assessment and Case Responsibility
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Appendix 5
WALC Referral Form
Appendix 6
WALC Referral Process Flow Chart
Appendix 7
File Audit for WALC Referral and Transfer Meeting
Appendix 8
Pathway Plan
Appendix 9
Pathway Questionnaire
Appendix 10 Housing and Accommodation for Relevant, Former Relevant and
Qualifying Young People
1). Access to Accommodation and Housing for Relevant Young
People
2). Priority Housing and Floating Support Scheme Nominations for
former Relevant Young People
3). Floating Support Scheme
4). Private Rented Accommodation
5). Leaving Care Grants
Appendix 11 Financial Assistance (including rates of payments):
1. Rates of payments to eligible and relevant young people
2. Payments to former relevant young people for setting up home
3. Rates of payment for education funding for former relevant and
qualifying young people 18 and above
4. Discretionary Section 24 funding for former relevant and qualifying
young people
5. Treatment of young people’s income and capital
6. Criteria, terms and conditions for financial assistance to former
relevant and qualifying young people
6.1 Weekly Payments to Top Up Income
6.2 Terms and Conditions for the Payment of the Weekly
Allowances, Term-based Higher Education Grants and
Training Incentives.
6.3 Expectations of Young People in receiving training and
education payments
6.4 Rent and Fares
6.5 Vacation Accommodation:
6.6 Applications for Allowances, Rent and Fares
6.7 Education Fund Appeals
6.8 Education Fund Monitoring
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6.9 Discretionary Section 24 Fund
6.10 Crisis Section 24 payments
Appendix 12
Adoption and Residence Order Allowances
Appendix 13
Care Placements for 18-21 Year Olds
1). Assessment Process
2). Early Planning and Review Process
3). Approval for a Placement for a Young Person Over 18
4). Review of a Placement
5). Responsibilities of Young People
6). Responsibilities of Carers
Appendix 14
Representations Complaints and Advocacy
Appendix 15
Guidance for the Accommodation of 13, 14 and 15 year olds
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PREPARATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
AND AFTER-CARE SERVICES
Part One - Introduction and General Information
1.
Introduction
1.1 This document sets out the Preparation for Independence and AfterCare Policy, Procedures and Guidance for Westminster City Council. It
replaces all existing documentation for 16 and 17 year old looked after
children previously provided with services under section 24 of the
Children Act 1989.
1.2 The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 establishes new arrangements
for the care and support of young people living in and leaving care. The
Act aims to improve the life chances of young people leaving care
extending Section 24 of the Children Act 1989 to delay young people’s
discharge from care until they are prepared and ready to leave. In doing
so it sets clear standards for local authorities to act as good parents to
“looked after” care leavers.
1.3These standards underpin Westminster’s approach to Corporate Parenting. These policies, procedures and
guidance have been designed to reflect the lengthy transition from childhood to adulthood and the support a
good parent gives to a young person moving towards independence. Account has been taken of the views of
looked after young people and agencies involved in their care.
1.4 The Social and Community Services Department will, with Education
and Leisure and the Housing Department, other statutory agencies
including health and probation and those in the voluntary and private
sectors who have responsibilities for young people, maximise the
opportunities available to young people leaving care. The Westminster
Accommodation and Leaving Care Team (WALC) will take a lead role in
maintaining links between Departments and other agencies in order to
facilitate joint working practices and new initiatives.
1.5 It is necessary to have in place a careful assessment procedure to
ensure that young people only become looked after when it is
necessary for their welfare and to prevent them suffering harm. The
protocol set out in Appendix 15 will therefore be used when assessing
any young person over the age of 13 who may need accommodation.
2.
Legislation
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2.1 The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 amends the leaving care
provisions of the Children Act 1989. The Children Act and its
underlying principles remain as the general legal framework. A number
of duties and powers on the local authority in preparing young people
for leaving care and the provision of aftercare services for such young
people still continue.
APPENDIX 1 gives details of the Section 24 provisions of the Children Act
1989.
2.1.1
Requirements of the Children Act 1989 & the Children (Leaving
Care) Act 2000
The following summarises the main requirements of the Children
Act 1989 and Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000,
 A duty to advise, assist and befriend a looked after young
person with a view to promoting his welfare when he ceases to
be looked after.
 A duty to advise and befriend a young person who was
previously looked after and is under 21.
 A power to assist a young person who was previously looked
after and is under 21 (and beyond if the assistance is in
pursuance of education, training or employment and the course
began before he was 21).
 A power to assist other young people who were accommodated
by a health authority, education authority or privately fostered.
2.1.2
Principles of the Legislation
Principles of the Children Act 1989 which are incorporated into the
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 include,
 Taking into account the views of young people, consulting with
them and keeping them informed;
 Giving due consideration to the young person’s race, culture,
religion and linguistic background;
 Safeguarding and promoting the well being of young people
being looked after; and
 recognising corporate and interagency responsibility.
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Other principles underlying Westminster’s Children and Families Division
practice can be found in LAC Policy, Procedures and Guidance.
2.1.3
Entitlements
The entitlements of each category of young person are set out in APPENDIX
2 - Entitlements Under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
2.2
Glossary: The following briefly defines key words,
A.
Children and Young People
a).
Eligible Children: Children aged 16 and 17 who have been
looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 and who are
still looked-after.
b).
Relevant Children: Children aged 16 and 17 who have been
looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 who ceased
to be looked after following their 16th birthday.
c).
Former Relevant Children: Young people aged 18-21 who have
been either eligible or relevant children, or both. If at 21 the
responsible authority still provides help with education or training,
they remain a former relevant child until the end of the programme
of education or training even if more than 21.
d).
Qualifying children and young people over 16
Section 24(1): Any young person aged under 21 (under 24 if in education or training) who ceases to be looked
after or accommodated in a variety of other settings, or privately fostered, after the age of 16, but does not meet
the criteria for a relevant or former relevant child.
See C(LC)A 2000 R&G p. 72. (Children (Leaving Care) Act
regulations & Guidance)
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
B.
Other Definitions
a).
Needs Assessment: Looked after children require a Care Plan
which is based upon an assessment of their needs. LAC
Assessment and Action Records for Young People aged 15 and
over must be used to formulate the Care Plan. See C(LC)A 2000
R&G p.35 & 74.
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
b).
Pathway Plan: Each eligible, relevant and former relevant young
person must have a Pathway Plan that shows the advice,
assistance and support they require. It must be based on the
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Needs Assessment as above and replaces the Care Plan for
young people aged 15 and over.See C(LC)A 2000 R&G p. 40-46
& 73 & 74.
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
c).
Pathway Questionnaire: A WCC document used to help
complete the Pathway Plan. It may in exceptional situations be
used with young people to complete a Needs Assessment if the
young person will not sufficiently engage with the LAC
Assessment and Action Record.
d).
Personal Adviser: Responsible authorities must provide a
personal adviser for eligible, relevant and former relevant children.
In WCC this will mostly be their WALC social worker. The young
person may elect someone else who must agree to the role and
be able to perform it. See C(LC)A 2000 R&G p. 47, 59 & 75.
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
e). Responsible Authority: Section 23A(4): The council which last looked after the child or young person.
3.
Westminster’s Service Aims and Objectives for Leaving Care Services
To safeguard and promote the welfare of all looked after young people and those leaving care.
To gradually prepare young people for independent living in the community.
To assist young people maximise their life chances so that they reach their
full potential.
To consult with young people, take on board their views and inform them of
changes that will affect them.
To provide a range of placements suitable to meet their individual needs.
To work in partnership with other departments such as Housing, Education, Health and other voluntary agencies
in planning and delivering services to young people.
4.
To give due consideration when planning services to young people’s culture,
race, religion, linguistic background and ability.
Leaving Care Services
4.1 The principal provider of leaving care services in Westminster is the
Westminster Accommodation and Leaving Care Team (WALC). The
WALC team work with eligible, relevant, former relevant and qualifying
young people.
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4.2 WALC’s primary role is to advise on Needs Assessments and after care
services ensuring the allocation of a Personal Adviser (PA) and preparing,
coordinating and reviewing Pathway Plans.
The PA will in most
circumstances be located in the WALC team and will usually be the Social
Worker for the young person. Services provided take account of the
young person’s individual and social needs including those relating to
gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion and spiritual needs,
health and educational needs and any specific dietary needs. WALC will
provide information, advice and support to care leavers through the
operation of a duty social work service including a “drop-in” facility,
individually through casework and through group work. The service will
further administer funds or other grants made available for care leavers.
4.3 WALC also collates information about leaving care activity in the borough
to assist in the planning and development of services and provides a
quality assurance function in relation to service delivery.
5.
Eligibility Criteria
5.1 The following section sets out the Department’s eligibility criteria for
Leaving Care Services. These criteria are laid down by the terms of the
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 in order to ensure consistent service
delivery across the country.
5.2 In view of the Department’s responsibilities under the Act, it is essential
that accurate and timely assessment are made at the point of children and
young people being considered for accommodation or action under
Section 31 Children Act. Workers need to refer to the framework for
Assessment for Children in Need and Westminster’s assessment protocol
for guidance.
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CATEGORY
Eligible
Children/Young
People
Children & Young
People
who
are
16/17 on or after
1/10/2001
Relevant
Children/Young
people
[Eligible 16/17 year
olds who leave care
on or after 1/10/01]
Former Relevant
[Eligible or relevant
young people who
turn 18 after
1/10/01]
QUALIFYING YOUNG PEOPLE
ENTITLEMENTS
 16/17 year olds looked after for 13 weeks
continuously or separately since the age
of 14 years and who remain looked after.
Except where:
i) They have been looked after for short
durations (under 4 weeks each time) of
respite care and are returned home to
their parents or persons with parental
responsibility after each episode.
ii) They have settled at home with a carer or
other person with parental responsibility
for at least 6 months and there is no Care
Order in force.
 16/17 year olds remanded into care since
the age of 14 for at least 13 weeks
whether or not they received a custodial
sentence.
 16/17 year old asylum seekers looked
after for at least 13 weeks since the age
of 14.
 16/17 year olds looked after but placed
with a parent or person with parental
responsibility for less than 6 months.
 16/17 year olds placed with parents or
person with parental responsibility for 6
months or more where there is an
undischarged Care Order.
 Previously eligible 16/17 year olds who
are no longer looked after.
 16 year olds detained by courts or in
hospital who on turning 16 who would
otherwise be eligible.
 16/17 year old previously lone parents.
 All the provisions of the looked after system
including accommodation and maintenance,
contact with Social Worker, reviews of their
case as a looked after child.
 Personal Adviser.
 Needs Assessment.
 Pathway Plan.




Personal Adviser.
Needs Assessment
Pathway Plan.
Financial Maintenance and assistance with
accommodation.
 Assistance to achieve goals set out in the
Pathway Plan.






 18-21 year old former eligible and/ or
relevant 16/17 young people. If at the age
of 21 the young person is in an agreed
programme of education the age category
extends to the end of the programme.

Qualifying young
people over 16
 Young people aged 16 to 21 (24 if in
education or training) who cease to be
looked after in other settings or privately
fostered after the age of 16.




Maintenance of contact.
Personal Adviser.
Pathway Plan.
Assistance or advice re employment.
Assistance or advice re education and training.
Vacation accommodation for higher education
or residential further education if needed.
Other assistance to the extent the young
person’s welfare requires it.
Advice & assistance and befriending if needed.
Maintenance of contact.
Assistance with education up to the age of 24.
Vacation accommodation for higher education
courses or residential accommodation for
further education if necessary.
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5.3 As the Children (Leaving Care) Act is not retrospective there will be a
group of young people who would have qualified as relevant or former
relevant young people but do not because they ceased being looked after
before 1.10.02. This group of young people become qualifying young
people as above. In addition WALC will continue to treat these young
people as eligible for the full service they could have accessed prior to the
Act’s implementation. This service includes:
6.

Allocated Social Worker until at least the age of 19, after which they
can access the duty service

Access to permanent housing as if they were former relevant young
people

Leaving care grant

Access to full range of Education Fund allowances
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)
6.1 Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are covered in the Children Act
1989 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 in exactly the same way
as other children. However, difference in their immigration status can
affect the services they receive. The immigration categories are,




Applying for asylum
Acceptance as a refugee
Granted exceptional leave to remain
Refused leave to remain
For more details of matters relating to UASC refer to APPENDIX 3
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) which details,
1. Provision and Planning including Legal Considerations
2. Housing
3. Section 24
Also see C(LC)A 2000 R&G p. 13 at the website below.
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/work_pro/project_5.htm
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7.
Disability and Mental Health
7.1 The Children Act states that young people with disabilities should receive
a service promoting continuity of planning when transferring from the
Children and Families Division to Community Care Services while the
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 stresses the importance of working in
partnership. These procedures are written in this context and have been
agreed by the Children and Families and Community Care Divisions.
7.2 The Social and Community Services Department must ensure that young
people with substantial and permanent disabilities transfer smoothly from
the Children and Families Division to Adult Care Management Services at
the appropriate time. Joint planning is essential for those young people
who meet the criteria for adult assessment and care management
services.
7.3 The Action and Assessment Record may not be appropriate for young
people with severe or profound learning disabilities. In such cases, the
case-accountable social worker should consult with the Children With
Disabilities Team Manager who will give advice on good practice in
relation to planning for young people with severe or profound learning
disabilities.
7.4 In the case of a young person with a disability, a referral should be made
to the relevant Care Management Service when the young person is 16
years, so that an assessment can be undertaken of whether or not the
young person meets the criteria for adult service provision. The Children
With Disabilities Team Manager must be consulted on all such cases. See
Appendix 4.
7.5 If a young person has a level of disability not entitling them to adult care
management, adult care management staff can provide consultation on
the services of other agencies, which may be of assistance to the young
person.
7.6 If a young person has chronic problems with their mental health or has
experienced acute episodes of mental illness, the adult care management
service for mental health should be consulted. If appropriate, on-going or
periodic consultation or joint planning should be undertaken with adult
mental health workers.
See APPENDIX 4 for when the Team Manager CWDT should be informed
about young people with disabilities and their role in data management.
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Part Two - Preparation for Leaving Care
8.
Preparation for Independence for Eligible and Relevant Children and
Young People
8.1 Moving to independence is a process that should be well planned, and
integrated into the care offered to children and young people in
placements from a young age. It may most naturally occur by involving
children and young people in the everyday activities their carers
undertake such as shopping, cooking and being responsible for their own
belongings.
8.2 To consolidate the preparation process in adolescence, social workers
and the Child Care Review Unit should ensure Care Plans for children
aged 15 years and above detail the arrangements that will lead to the
acquisition of the necessary skills, knowledge and aptitude for a
successful move to independence. The young person, their carers and
other professionals must be consulted in the Care Planning process if
successful outcomes are to be achieved.
8.3 Such outcomes will include,
 ability to form and maintain individual, social and sexual relationships
with others
 the development of self esteem
 acquisition of practical financial skills and knowledge
 an ability to engage in active and positive citizenship
8.4 Occasionally, additional specific training requirements and resources for
disabled young people and for young people who do not have English as
a first language may be needed. However it is important that services are
run in an inclusive and integrated way so those with specific needs also
have their requirements met in as usual a way as possible and are not
excluded from mainstream services and activities.
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9.
Referral of Cases to WALC
9.1 Cases should be referred to WALC when the young person reaches 15
years and 6 months and be made on the WALC Referral Form
APPENDIX 5. The process for referral is outlined in APPENDIX 6 the
WALC Referral Process Flowchart.
9.2 When the young person reaches 15 years and 9 months the case will be
allocated to a Social Worker in the WALC team. This Social Worker will
work alongside the referring Social Worker, who will retain case
responsibility until the young person becomes 16.
9.2 Information required on file to accompany the referral is detailed in
APPENDIX 7 File Audit for WALC Referral and Transfer Meeting Form.
9.3 In exceptional circumstances social workers in Family Support and the
Looked After Children Teams who have developed close relationships
with young people over several years may wish to continue working with
them in preparing to leave care and when receiving after-care services.
The views of the young person should be sought before deciding whether
or not to transfer case-responsibility to WALC.
9.4 If there are child protection concerns relating to a young person (or their
dependents) who qualify for a WALC service, the young person should
still be referred to WALC. The case will be joint worked by WALC and the
referring Social Worker who will remain case accountable and the lead
worker. This will ensure both child protection and preparation for
independence issues are addressed. WALC will become solely case
accountable when the child protection issues are resolved and the
referring worker withdraws. When child protection issues arise in a case
already held by WALC a referral will be made to the Assessment Team for
investigation and assessment. The WALC worker will remain involved as
long as the young person meets the WALC criteria. The worker
addressing the child protection concerns will become the lead worker and
the case will be joint worked with WALC. WALC will resume case
accountability when the child care issues are resolved.
9.5 In all cases, even where a referral is not to be made, contact should be
made with the WALC Team to ensure that each young person on
reaching 16 years gains access to all the support, advice and guidance
available from the Department and elsewhere. This also ensures that
plans for young people are in line with Departmental policy and can be
met within the resources available.
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10. Needs Assessment
10.1
Three months before the young person’s 16 th birthday a multi agency
Needs Assessment, leading to a Pathway Plan, must be undertaken to
determine the required level and nature of support whilst they remain
looked after and post 16 when they have ceased to be looked after. For
young people who become looked after aged 16 and above a Needs
Assessment will be completed within 8 weeks of the young person
becoming looked after to fit with Assessment Framework time-scales.
10.2
A Pathway Plan will need to be developed for the young person. In
Westminster the Pathway Plan replaces the Care Plan as the planning
template for the young person.
See APPENDIX 8 for an example of the Pathway Plan
See APPENDIX 9 for an example of the Pathway Questionnaire
See the LAC Procedures – Statutory Child Care Reviews for how
Reviews and Pathway Plans should be developed and implemented.
10.3
The final statutory child care review before the young person’s 16 th
birthday will provide the forum for the planning for all Needs
Assessments.
Such assessments should include the Personal
Education Plan and the Assessment and Action Records. A WALC team
representative will attend all such Reviews to secure their early
involvement in the young person’s transition to the WALC team, where
possible this will be the worker who is to become the allocated worker. A
Personal Adviser will be identified, which in the majority of cases will be
the allocated WALC Social Worker.
The Personal Adviser’s role is to provide practical advice and support, participate in the assessment,
preparation, monitoring and review of Pathway Plans and maintain links between WALC (where relevant),
other responsible social services staff, the young person’s carer/s, education and health services and any other
agencies involved with the young person.
10.5
In general, the assessment will follow the dimensions of the ‘ Framework
for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’ (HMSO,
2001). However, particular emphasis will be given to those areas
outlined below:
 The young person’s health and development
 Education, training and employment needs
 Support available from family and other relationships
 Financial needs
 The extent of the young person’s independent living skills
 The young persons care, support and accommodation needs
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 Any special needs arising from disability, behaviour, the young
person’s sense of identity or from the experience of fleeing
persecution
 Parenting in the case of young parents
10.6
When planning and undertaking assessments the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker will have regard to the timing and outcomes of
other assessments including Transitional Plans drawn up under the SEN
Codes of Practice and Personal Education Plans to prevent
assessments being unnecessarily repeated.
11. Pathway Planning
11.1
The Pathway Plan: Within 4 weeks of the completion of the Needs
Assessment the person responsible for carrying the assessment
forwards, who will normally be the WALC Social Worker, will compile a
written Pathway Plan mapping out the young person’s future until the
age of 21 years. Where young people choose to remain in an
educational programme the plan will continue to the end of the
programme.
11.2
The Plan will set out the young person’s aspirations, detail both short
and long term goals and set out the way in which they will be achieved.
It should also contain details of the formal and informal support that will
be available to the young person, the roles and responsibilities or each
person, arrangements for maintaining contact and contingency
arrangements if the Plan is not successful.
11.3
The Pathway Plan will further detail:
• The nature and level of support to be provided to the young person
• His/her accommodation arrangements, including arrangements for
funding, assisting the young person to move to the accommodation,
helping them maintain the accommodation and measures for dealing
with accommodation breakdown
• The arrangements for building on the young person’s educational
progress taking into consideration his/her Person Education Plan and
the means for resolving difficulties
• Any training arrangements and where relevant arrangements for
assisting young people in employment or seeking employment
• The support that will be available to enable the young person to develop
and sustain family and other social relationships
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• The independent living skills programme developed to provide practical
and other skills, including the arrangements for dealing with personal
issues to enable young people to recognise the dangers of drugs, alcohol,
vulnerability to exploitation including sexual, providing information on safe
sex and contraception and preparing young people for parenthood
• The arrangements for the financial support that will be available to the
young person to meet his/her maintenance needs
• The arrangements for meeting the young persons health needs, including
mental health
11.4
The date by which tasks are to be achieved and any contingency
arrangements should also be included. The Pathway Plan also records key
details including the name, age and contact details of the young person, the
contact details of the Personal Adviser/Social Worker and other persons
actively involved in delivering the plan and a review date. To encourage
ownership of the plan by the young person the Personal Adviser/Social
Worker will fully involve the young person in its preparation.
11.5
Where the plan for the young person requires housing the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker will discuss the range of options open to the young
person with the WALC Team Manager/Senior Practitioner. A referral will then
be made to the Floating Support Scheme, WCC Priority Housing Nomination
Scheme or an alternative housing option deemed appropriate to meet the
needs of the individual young person.
11.6
The range of options available in Westminster to meet young peoples needs
include:
 Shared housing
 Semi-independent housing
 Supported lodgings
 Specialist accommodation for disabled young people
 Independent tenancies
 Floating support
See Appendix 10 for more information.
11.7
The Personal Adviser/Social Worker, in liaison with the Access to Resources
Team, will ensure that all required checks have been carried out as to the
character and suitability of any proposed landlord or accommodation
provider. For under 18’s any accommodation provider must be checked in
accordance with the Protection of Children Act. On no account should longterm bed and breakfast be considered a suitable option for any young people
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and bed and breakfast accommodation will only be used in an emergency for
over 18 year olds.
11.8
The WCC housing officer will liaise with WALC regarding offers of City
Council housing for young people aged 18. The designated Floating Support
Scheme worker will contact WALC with offers under the Floating Support
Scheme. The Access to Resources Team will keep WALC informed of new
housing support arrangements with social landlords and voluntary sector
providers to increase the range of options available.
11.9
The Personal Adviser/Social Worker will monitor progress once the agreed
housing arrangement is implemented. The young person should be made
aware of the consequences of the housing situation failing e.g. loss of
tenancy and the importance of problems being raised early to try and
prevent this happening. People and places where support can be gained
should be offered. A contingency plan including individual responsibilities
and possible alternative placements is required setting out the steps to be
taken and the resources available should the housing arrangement not be
successful. This may be graded to take account of the length of time
between the housing arrangement beginning and its subsequent failure.
On completion of the Pathway Plan, the Personal Adviser/Social Worker will ensure that a copy is attached to
the young person’s case file. They will circulate other copies to the young person, their social worker if they are
not the PA and the care provider. A copy should also be sent to the Child Care Review Unit.
11.11
Other contributing agencies and individuals will either receive extracts of the
aspect of the plan relating to them or a copy of the whole plan, depending on
whether the young person consents to such.
11.12
When the Pathway Plan is confirmed in a Statutory Review the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker distributes the confirmed Plan and decisions following
the Review. See LAC Procedures: Statutory Child-Care Reviews.
11.13
Pathway Questionnaire: This is a WCC document used to help complete the
Pathway Plan. It may in exceptional situations be used with young people to
complete a Needs Assessment if the young person will not sufficiently
engage with the LAC Assessment and Action Record.
11.14
Reviewing the Pathway Plan: The Pathway Plan will be reviewed every 6
month unless the young person or their Personal Adviser makes a formal
request for an earlier review of the plan. Whenever such a request is made
an earlier review of the Pathway Plan will always take place.
11.15
For those aged under 18 years Pathway Plans will be reviewed by a
Child Care Review Unit Independent Reviewing Officer following the
steps outlined in the LAC Procedures: Statutory Child Care Reviews.
For guidance on the principles of working in partnership with young
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APPENDIX ONE – MAIN POLICY
people and obtaining their views and active engagement in case
planning see LAC Procedures.
11.16
For those aged 18 plus the Pathway Plan will be reviewed by a Senior
Practitioner in the WALC team and occasionally with the assistance of
a Child Care Review Unit Reviewing Officer if the particular
circumstances require it.
12. Health
The Personal Adviser/Social Worker will advise young people where to access
assistance regarding any aspect of their physical, emotional, mental or sexual
health needs and encourage all young people to take increasing responsibility
for their own health. Where necessary advice can be sought by the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker from the specialist Health Development Officer based in
the Child & Adolescent Intervention Team (LAC Team), Tel no: 020 7641 7660.
13. Education and Careers Services
13.1
Personal Education Plans (PEPs): All looked after children and young
people should have a Personal Education Plan. The Initial PEP must be
completed within 20 working days of a child or young person becoming
looked after and in time for their first Statutory Review. PEP’s must
subsequently be updated when a child or young person changes school
(within 20 working days) and for each Statutory Review.
13.2
Education Development Officer/Education Caseworker: The Education
Development Officer and Education Caseworker can offer advice and
assistance on educational matters. They are based at,
7th Floor West, City Hall
64 Victoria St
London, SW1E 6QP
Tel: EDO 020 7641 2260
EC 020 7641 2206
Fax: 020 7641 8044
13.3
Connexions: The Connexions Service can provide integrated information
and advice to young people between 13-19 years on education, training
and careers issues.
Connexions can allocate a personal adviser [a different PA to that provided
under the C(LC) Act 2000] who offers the above following referral to the
service. Referrals can be made by the young person, their parent or carer or
by an agency. For further details contact,
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Connexions
29, Cosway St.
Marylebone
NW1 6TN
Tel:020 7641 1592
For other Education and Careers information see LAC Procedures and
Guidance.
14. Peer Mentors
WALC has an established Peer Mentoring programme and offers training to
older care leavers who wish to become mentors. A designated worker
manages the scheme and is responsible for matching mentors with looked after
children and young people leaving care. The support available is informal and
based on the wishes of the young people. Both mentors and those being
mentored have access to residential trips and other activities. Designated
worker in WALC is: Peter Hamilton, Tel no: 020 7641 3188
15. Youth Offending
The Youth Offending Team (YOT) offer specialist support in partnership with
the WALC Team to young people who are involved in or at risk of offending and
who are preparing for independence. They can be contacted on,
Youth Offending Team
6a, Crompton St.
London
W2 1ND
Tel:020 7641 5308/8309
Fax:020 7641 5311
16. Contact with Relevant Young People
16.1
The Personal Adviser/Social Worker will be the chief source of contact
between the young person and the Social Services Department.
The young person will also have access to a WALC social worker
through the duty service where the Personal Adviser is not their social
worker. Relevant young people leaving local authority care will have a
needs assessment in place by the time they reach the age of 16.
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16.2
The Personal Adviser/Social Worker will visit the young person in line
with existing regulations. For eligible young people this is as for other
looked after children. For relevant young people visits will be according
to need but at least quarterly.
16.3
Where the young person moves to another area the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker will either continue to provide services directly or
arrange for the young person to be provided with services from another
authority, if this is more feasible.
In the interim, the Personal
Adviser/Social Worker will ensure that no young person is left without
services. In such circumstances, the case management and financial
responsibilities for the young person will remain with Westminster.
16.4
WALC will arrange for short-term emergency assistance for relevant and
eligible young people arriving in the area from another authority and in
need of help.
In all these cases, management and financial
responsibility remain with the other authority concerned. Westminster
will only take management and financial responsibility in an emergency
when it is not possible to obtain consent from the other authority
concerned. Such an arrangement should only last for one working day
and any costs incurred should be claimed from the responsible authority.
16.5
When a young person arrives in Westminster and their status under the
Children (Leaving Care) Act is not immediately apparent an initial
assessment will be undertaken by the Assessment Team, as with any
other referral regarding a child or young person in need.
17. Financial Assistance
17.1 The effect of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 is to remove
entitlements from eligible and relevant young people to welfare benefits
through the Benefits Agency in all but a small number of cases. The
Leaving Care Grant is intended to enable local authorities to take on the
role of financial responsibility for these young people. Leaving Care
services will ensure that the level of funding for maintenance is not less
than the young person would have received if they were entitled to Job
Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit combined.
17.2
In exceptional circumstances such as where the young person has high
care costs the Director of Social and Community Services may use
his/her discretion to determine the level of funds provided.
These payments will be reviewed in line with reference to relevant benefits
e.g. Job Seekers Allowance and/or be index linked to inflation.
17.3 In addition to maintenance payments Westminster will consider funding other
activities and areas for eligible and relevant young people to meet the
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objectives set out in their Pathway Plans. Appendix 11 sets out the level of
funding for these areas. The list is set out below and is not exhaustive. Apart
from maintenance these payments are made on a needs-led basis and should
not be viewed as rights or entitlements for all care leavers.
 Travel cost for education
Education material & special equipment
Other educational costs
Cost associated with special needs (such as disability and pregnancy)
Child care costs
Clothing
Contact with family and other significant relationships
Cultural & religious needs
Counselling & therapeutic needs
Hobbies/holidays
Accommodation and resources needed to set up home
17.4 Where funding has been agreed, the Personal Adviser will either arrange for
direct payment into a bank account set up for the young person, arrange for
the funds to be managed through the care provider or manage the funds
directly depending on the young persons needs. Arrangements must be
specified in the Pathway Plan. In exceptional circumstances payment may be
in cash on a weekly basis with such payments being reviewed four weekly.
Applications for weekly allowances payments of this nature must be made to
the WALC Team Manager.
17.5
It is anticipated that financial support arrangements will be made in a way that
encompasses subsistence, care, education and other needs as part of an
individual support package for the young person concerned.
17.6 The Reviewing Officer will review the funding arrangements as part of the
Pathway Plan Review to ensure the funding is being used for the purposes
outlined in the Pathway Plan and revise the plan accordingly. If the young
person is not using the funding in the way agreed, is not engaging with his/her
Personal Adviser/Social Worker or is persistently refusing to carry out agreed
actions funding of discretionary allowances may be withdrawn.
Payments will be made to ensure young people do not reach a point of
having no money for essentials.
17.7
The Department has cash-limited funds available for Relevant, Former
Relevant and Qualifying young people up to the age of 24. Details of
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APPENDIX ONE – MAIN POLICY
these arrangements are set out in Appendix 11. Funds should provide
assistance to them if in education, training or low paid employment,
under Sections 23 and 24 of the Children Act 1989 and the Children
(Leaving Care) Act 2000. Such financial support must be identified in
the young person’s care/pathway plan.
17.8
Section 24 payments should not be used to replace benefits or grants
withdrawn from a young person if they have become ineligible for them
having been denied leave to remain in the U.K. See APPENDIX 3
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Section 3: Section
24 Payments, para 3.1
18. Adoption and Residence Order Allowances
APPENDIX 12 - Adoption and Residence Order Allowances sets out the criteria
and procedure for payments in these cases.
19. Care Placements for 18 – 21 Year Old Young People
The process and expectations to extend care placements beyond 17 are set out
in APPENDIX 13 - Care Placements for 18-21 Year Olds. Care Placements
are generally defined as residential or community homes, foster placements,
supported lodgings, hostels and hotels, semi-independent units and mother
and baby units.
20. Transfer to Adult Care Management Services
The procedures, criteria and eligibility for young adults requiring Adult Care
Management Services are set out in APPENDIX 4 Transfer to Adult Care
Management Services.
21. Access to Housing and Accommodation for Relevant, Former Relevant
and Qualifying Young People
The Social and Community Services Department’s Children’s and Families
Division is responsible for assessing the accommodation needs of relevant
young people in conjunction with the Housing Department and meeting the
costs of that accommodation where deemed appropriate. The relevant
processes, criteria and schemes etc. are set out in APPENDIX 13 Access to
Housing and Accommodation For Relevant, Former Relevant and Qualifying
Young People.
Part Three - After Leaving Care
22. Vacation Accommodation
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APPENDIX ONE – MAIN POLICY
21.1
The WALC Team will assess the need for vacation accommodation of all
former relevant care leavers in further or higher education. The Leaving
Care worker will take into account the course timetable to ensure that
the young person is not left homeless at anytime. See APPENDIX 11
Financial Assistance - Section 6.5. Vacation Accommodation.
22.2
In drawing up the Pathway Plan for young people in this group, the
WALC social worker will detail support available through duty services
that will assist young people with expenses connected with education
and training and help them find accommodation and improve life skills
following completion of the plan.
23. Crisis Section 24 Payments
23.1
Occasionally young people living independently require ad hoc
payments or loans under the provisions of Section 24 of the Children Act
and the Children (Leaving Care) Act. Such payments will be available to
those who are 20 and under. See APPENDIX 11 Crisis Section 24
Payments.
24. Contact with former relevant young people
24.1The WALC Team through its review of pathway planning will ensure that all former relevant young people
receive a minimum of two contacts per year with either a Personal Adviser or social worker. The nature of these
contacts will need to be set out in planning for each young person. They should be face to face contacts but if
that is refused by the young person it may include contacts by telephone or letter, email, tapes or other media.
Contact should be defined as an active engagement or action by or with the young person rather than for
instance a one-way process such as the Personal Adviser sending a letter.
24.2
For former relevant young people over the age of 18 not in education the
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 does not intend that leaving care
services will assume responsibility for the arrangement of or paying for
accommodation or support needs. Support beyond this age is more
advisory with contacts promoting the independence of the young person.
25. Assisting Young People with On-Going Entitlement to Social Services
Support
25.1
Where young people are disabled and have entitlement to services, this
entitlement is in no way lessened by this policy. It will remain important
that planning between children’s and adults services within the Social
Services Department begins early enough to ensure as seamless a
transition as possible.
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25.2
Where Social Services remain involved in providing services and
reviewing these services under community care legislation, the young
person concerned will continue to receive the after care support and
Personal Adviser support where entitled under the terms of this policy.
An Adult Care Manager takes the role of Personal Adviser on transfer to
adult services.
26. Qualifying young people over 16
The Leaving Care service will advise, assist and befriend these young people until the age of 21 years and
provide assistance with education, training and employment. In addition, care leavers on residential further and
higher education courses will receive assistance with vacation accommodation up to the age of 24, if needed.
26.1Qualifying young people will usually not be allocated a Personal
Adviser/Social Worker but will be able to access advice and support
through the duty service and any advice sessions held by WALC.
26.3As this group qualify for income support, financial assistance will normally only be provided where the
young person’s welfare is in jeopardy and there is no support available from another agency or as required in
relation to the young persons education, training and employment. See Appendix 11.
26.4It should be noted that any assistance given would be disregarded in the
calculation of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance,
Community Charge Benefit and Working Family Tax Credit.
Qualifying young people will not have access to permanent housing through either the Floating Support or
Priority Housing Nomination Schemes. WALC can offer advice regarding alternative housing options.
27. Outreach from Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings
27.1 Young people living with foster carers may maintain contact when they
leave for independent living. If an outreach role is identified in the
Care/Pathway Plan payments may be made in line with the
Department’s procedures continuing for up to a year after the young
person has left the placement. It may take two forms:
i) A maximum of five weeks stay with foster carers in any year. Carers
are paid at the foster carers respite care rate.
ii) A maximum of 6 hours outreach support per week for up to three
months. The foster carer is paid an agreed hourly rate, usually the
assistant social worker rate.
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27.2 The Personal Adviser or young person’s social worker should discuss
proposals with the WALC Team Manager and Family Placements. The
appropriate FPS Manager should also be consulted if the foster carer’s
outreach work reduces their capacity to offer placements for other
young people. The Access to Resources Team should be notified of
such an arrangement by the carer’s supervising social worker
28. Representations Complaints and Advocacy
28.1
Westminster provides a complaints and representations process for all
looked after children and care leavers under section 26 of the Children
Act 1989 and the Representations Procedure (Children) Regulations
1991. For further details contact the Complaints Section and refer to
the Complaints and Representations Policy and Procedures.
28.2
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 makes additions to the
Complaints and Representations, and Advocacy requirements for
relevant, former relevant and qualifying young people. APPENDIX 15
Representations Complaints and Advocacy sets out Westminster’s
procedures.
Complaints may provide a helpful way of monitoring services to young people and
identifying needed improvements. If a young person is unhappy with any part of the
service they have received (or not received) they may make a complaint to any
person or agency involved in their care. Young people should not be discouraged
from making complaints though informal resolutions should be facilitated where
possible and appropriate.
Contact details for Complaints Officer:
Children’s Complaints Officer
7th Floor, City Hall
64 Victoria St
London SW1E 6QP
Tel: 020 7641 1999
29. Children’s Rights and Young People’s Participation Officers
29.1
The Young People’s Participation officer is located in the Child Care
Review Unit. The Children’s Rights Officer is located at an office in W14
as part of a Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster Children’s
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Rights Consortium. Young people and council officers can contact them
at,
Child Care Review Unit
1st Floor, 4 Frampton St, London NW8 8LF
Children’s Rights Service
54 Blythe Rd, London W14 0HA
Tel:
YPPO: 020 7641 7584
CRO: 020 7641 7583
Freephone: 0500 235 844 (for young people)
29.2
The Young People’s Participation Officer is responsible for organising
exit interviews with peer mentors for young people leaving placements.
30. Access to Records
30.1
Young people should be informed of their right to access information
held on them by WCC in line with the “Westminster Data Protection
Guidelines” and Social and Community Services Department’s “Access
to Records Policies and Procedures” and the support services available
to them in order to explore past and present issues in their lives.
30.2
The Guidelines can be found on the WCC intranet and the Policies and
Procedures can be found in Public Folders on Microsoft Exchange in the
Children’s and Families Policy and Procedures Directory.
31. Coordination and Monitoring of Services
31.1
WALC has responsibility for developing the independence and aftercare
services, monitoring the quality of practice, identifying needs and
recommending service developments. WALC will take a lead role in
maintaining links between Departments and other agencies to facilitate
joint working practices and new initiatives. Social and Community
Services will involve young people in evaluating and developing services
for care leavers including those provided by other agencies.
31.2
The Head of Commissioning (Children Looked After) has lead
responsibility to ensure that information on need, use of resources,
outcomes and a strategy for commissioning services is collated on an
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annual basis. The HoC takes the lead role in implementing any new
legislation and/or DOH guidance in this area.
31.3
The WALC Team Manager works in collaboration with the HoC (Children
Looked After) and other members of the Divisional Management Team
and all Team Managers and has the following tasks:
a) Monitoring quality of the Assessment and Action Records and
Care/Pathway Plans and raising any issues with the appropriate
Team Manager or Head of Commissioning.
b) Monitoring that Pathway Plans post-18 are being carried out within
agreed timescales.
c) Collating data on overall need and service provision;
d) Collating information on all young people ‘looked after’ who are 15
years and over and all over 18’s receiving after care services;
e) Producing an overview of the Care/Pathway Plans for people looked
after aged 16 and over and those receiving after care services on a
six-month basis.
f) Monitoring and reviewing the provision of placements to young
people 16 years and over, highlighting trends and concerns to the
HoC (Children Looked After) and the Divisional Management Team.
31.4 The WALC Team Manager will provide recommendations for the level of
financial assistance provided by the Department under this Policy and
Procedure for each financial year. The Divisional Management Team
will make recommendations to the Director on the level of financial
assistance in the November prior to each financial year.
31.5 The WALC Team Manager will produce an annual report in May each
year on the following: Identified need, including the needs of young people from different
ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities and special needs;
 Current resources available and identified gaps;
 Quality of planning for independence;
 Expenditure on After Care Services;
 Outcomes for young people;
 Young people’s views of services;
 Recommendations for future commissioning and changes in policy or
resources required.
31.6
The Children With Disabilities Team Manager will contribute to this
report in relation to young people with disabilities.
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31.7
The Divisional Management Team will discuss the annual report
produced by the WALC Team Manager and will review policy, practice
and service provision on an annual basis.
32. INFORMATION, BOOKLETS and USEFUL ADDRESSES
WALC WEBSITE: This can be found on Westminster’s Intranet using the
www.westminster.gov.uk address and then clicking on WALC Team.
Alternatively it can also be found using the following website address. Just
click on the address below.
www.westminster.gov.uk/walc
The site contains useful information for social workers and young people.
Useful Dept of Health Website Addresses
Title
Useful For
Website Address
(Left click on the address)
Children (Leaving Care)
Act 2000
Social Workers
Managers
www.doh.gov
Go to “Publications on the
Internet” and find by Subject,
Date or Title
Children(Leaving Care )
Act 2000 – Regulations
and Guidance
Social Workers
Managers
www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprote
cts/work_pro/project_5.htm
Title
Useful For
Helping you survive out
there – Your rights as a
young person leaving care
Young People
www.doh.gov.uk/surviveoutth
ere/index.htm
Also available as a PDF File
www.doh.gov.uk/surviveoutth
ere/surviveoutthere.pdf
Me, Survive, Out There?
New Arrangements for
Young People Living in and
Social Workers
Managers
Carers
www.doh.gov.uk/pub/docs/doh/c
areleav.pdf
Website Address
(Left click on the address)
No. of
Pages
Date
No. of
Pages
Date
5
10/01
62
06/99
PDF File
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APPENDIX ONE – MAIN POLICY
Leaving Care
A care leaver’s perspective
By Piper Mari
Young People
Social Workers
Managers
Carers
www.doh.gov.uk/scg/leavingc
are/index.htm
14
07/00
OTHER USEFUL ADDRESSES
If you have internet access just click on the blue web address to make a direct
connection.
A Voice for the Child in CareChildren’s Legal Centre
VCC, Unit 4 Pride Court University of Essex
80-82 White Lion StWivenhoe Park
LondonColchester
N1 9PEssex CO4 3SQ
Freephone: 0808 8005792Tel:01206 873820
Email: info@vcc-uk.orgWeb:www.2.essex.gc.uk/org
National Youth Advocacy ServiceWho Cares Trust
1, Downham Rd SouthKemp Hse.
Heswall, Wirral152,/160 City Rd
MerseysideL60 5RGLondon EC1V 2NP
Freephone:0800 616101Tel:020 7251 3117
Email: nyas@charity.vfree.comWeb:www.theWhoCarestrust.org.uk
Childline NSPCC Child Protection Hotline24 hour free helpline24 hour free helpline
Freephone:0800 1111Freephone:0800 800500
USEFUL BOOKLETS:
It’s OK to Complain: A guide for young people. Westminster’s in-house guide for
young people. It should be given to them when they begin being looked after and
checked at Statutory Reviews that they have a copy. Copies available from Social
and Community sites and the Complaints Section 8th Floor City Hall.
Young People’s Filofax: Westminster’s Guide to services includes useful
information on issues such as drugs, sexual health etc. All looked after young
people should have a copy. Copies available from Social and Community sites and
the Review Unit 4, Frampton St.
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Access to records: A Social and Community Services leaflet explaining how
service user’s can access their files and other relevant information. Copies
available from Social and Community sites and the Complaints Section 8th Floor City
Hall.
APPENDICES
The Appendices can be found in Exchange Public Folders in the Children and
Families Division Policy and Procedures Directory under the WALC and Leaving
Care sub-folder.
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