Guidance
Leaving Care Finance
This guidance was reviewed: June 2013
If you have printed this document, please check the Children’s Services
intranet procedures site to ensure that you are referring to the most recent
review.
This guidance should be used when making financial arrangements for
eligible, relevant and former relevant children:
Eligible children

Young people still aged 16
and 17 who have been
looked after for at least 13
weeks since the age of 14
and who are still lookedafter
Relevant children

Young People still aged 16
or 17, who had been looked
after for at least 13 weeks
since the age of 14 and who
left care after their 16th
Birthday.
Former relevant children

Young people aged 18-21
who have been either
eligible or relevant children,
or both. If at the age of 21
the young person is still
being helped by his
responsible authority with
education or training, he
remains a former relevant
child to the end of the
agreed programme of
education or training even if
that takes him past the age
of 21.
A fourth category of “a person qualifying for advice and assistance” arises
from the Children Act 1989 S24. A Qualifying Young Person is defined as a
person who is:
(a) aged at least 16 but is under 21
(b) with respect to whom a special guardianship is in force (or was in force
when they reached 18) and was looked after immediately before the making
of that order, or
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(c) at any time after reaching the age of 16 but while he was still a child was,
but is no longer, looked after, accommodated or fostered.
Children’s Services have a duty to advise and befriend a Qualifying Young
Person and may also give him assistance.
Assistance may be in kind and, in exceptional circumstances, assistance may
be given by providing accommodation or in cash.
NB: When young people are only looked after or supported briefly, or where
they return successfully to their families, families themselves must resume
responsibility for their welfare and support. This guidance is intended for those
young people where reunification is unlikely, or is a long-term aim, and the
financial arrangements detailed in the young person’s Pathway Plan should
be reflected accordingly.
The guidance should be implemented bearing in mind Norfolk’s policy to act
as a ‘good and prudent parent’ always seeking to improve outcomes and life
chances but, as with any family, doing so within our financial means.
Reference in the guidance to “Social Worker/YPA” indicates the role of a
case-holding Children’s Services practitioner.
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, together with its Regulations and
Guidance were introduced in October 2001. Subsequent revised guidance
and regulation was issued in April 2011 (“The Children Act 1989, Guidance
and Regulations Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care
Leavers”). Click here to access the current regulation and guidance.
In April 2011 Volume 2 of revised regulation and guidance was also
introduced to cover Care Planning, Placement and Case Review for looked
after children. Practitioners should bear in mind that this guidance and
regulation will apply to care leavers who are “eligible children”. Click here:
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This guidance is intended to help practitioners when they are constructing
Pathway Plans and/or making decisions regarding finance with care leavers in
Norfolk. The guidance covers many key areas and frequently arising
situations, but cannot cover every eventuality. It will often be necessary for
practitioners and Responsible Budget Officers to exercise discretion when
making financial decisions for care leavers, and this should be done bearing
in mind Norfolk’s aim to act as a good and prudent corporate parent. Norfolk’s
financial procedures and processes should be followed at all times.
1 PATHWAY PLANNING:
All financial arrangements for care leavers must be planned within Norfolk’s
Pathway Planning frameworks. All proposed expenditure should clearly relate
to objectives identified in the young person’s pathway plan, and funding
agreements should be clearly recorded in the plan.
2 THE CHILDREN (LEAVING CARE) ACT 2000:
The main purpose of the Children (Leaving Care) Act is to improve the life
chances of young people living in and leaving local authority care. Its main
aims are:
 to delay the young person's discharge from care until they are prepared
and ready to leave;
 to improve the assessment, preparation and planning for leaving care;
 to provide better personal support for young people after leaving care;
 to improve the financial arrangements for care leavers.
The planning of financial assistance for care leavers should include
consideration of several factors prior to a decision being made:
1. Is the young person able to finance the item / request him/herself?
2. Is it appropriate to approach parents to request financial help?
(This should be part of the Pathway Plan/Pathway Plan review
discussions between the Social Worker/YPA, the Responsible Budget
Officer (RBO), the young person and where appropriate the
Independent Reviewing Officer).
3. Is there an available grant (educational / training / benefit / trust) that
can be applied for?
4. Is the request consistent with the aims of the Pathway Plan for the
young person?
(Initial Pathway Plans should be very clear about financial
arrangements, and subsequent Pathway Plan reviews should
modify/update as necessary).
3 DEFINING WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT:
The Children (Leaving Care) Act creates three categories of "care leavers"
who are entitled to support after their 16th birthday i.e. Eligible Children;
Relevant Children and Former Relevant Children (see Page 1, above). It is
important to establish initially which, if any, of these a young person falls into,
as the first stage of assessing their eligibility for financial assistance.
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The guiding principle within these procedures is to identify those young
people for whom the Local Authority should act in the place of a parent, and to
define the appropriate level of support which should be provided. As a good
and prudent "corporate parent", the Authority should act in the best interests
of the young people, for whom it has a responsibility, doing so within our
financial means.
Where young people are only looked after or supported for a brief period,
and/or where they return successfully to their families, families themselves
must resume responsibility for their welfare and support (see above). It is
possible to provide support to sustain reunification using resources in kind or
in cash under Children Act Section17.
A care leaver will lose their qualification under the Children (Leaving Care) Act
six months (continuous) after their return home. The provisions for
“Qualifying Young People” (see page 1 above) within Children Act 1989
sections 24A and 24B will continue to apply to such children. (A qualifying
young person who is 16/17 years old and has previously been looked after,
but ceased to be looked after before their 18th birthday, does not have the
same restrictions to claiming welfare benefits as eligible and relevant young
people do. Because of this Children’s Services will not pay a personal
allowance or pay for the accommodation costs for these young people).
If reunification subsequently breaks down and the child/young person ceases
to live with a person with parental responsibility, the young person’s
qualification as a relevant or former relevant child is automatically re-instated.
The young person’s entitlement to services resumes and the local authority
must appoint a Young Person’s Adviser and resume pathway planning.
Full definitions of eligible, relevant and former relevant children are contained
in Children Act Guidance and Regulations “Volume 3: Planning Transition to
Adulthood for Care Leavers”, click here.
Case records must be kept accurately and referred to when defining a young
person's status, especially where individuals have complex care histories
involving periods spent at home.
4 FINANCIAL SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO CARE LEAVERS (INCLUDING
BENEFITS):
Every eligible, relevant or former relevant young person must have their
financial needs assessed and included in their Pathway Plans.
Eligible and relevant young people are, in most cases, unable to claim benefit.
(The benefit exceptions are lone parents and those qualifying for certain
disability payments; although in both cases they will still be excluded from
housing related benefits).
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Children (Leaving Care) Act regulations require that any package of financial
support for their accommodation and maintenance provided by the
responsible authority for an eligible / relevant child should come to a value not
less than they would have received if they had been entitled to claim Income
Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Housing Benefit. A relevant child has
a clear entitlement to suitable accommodation and maintenance, which must
be provided by his or her responsible authority so long as his or her welfare
requires it. This duty on the responsible authority is not qualified by any
requirements on the young person.
Former relevant young people are entitled to claim benefits from age 18.
Young people, including eligible and relevant young people with appropriate
medical certification may qualify for incapacity benefits.
Social Workers/YPAs are expected to ensure the take up of all benefit
entitlements as part of any assessment for Children’s Services financial
support.
For information / guidance on benefits for young people, Children’s Services
practitioners have fast-track access to CAB advisers.
Please note that this service is available for practitioners only. CAB
direct contact details must not be given to young people or their
families.
Information on benefits for young people in and leaving care is also available
via the leaflet “Know your rights, know your benefits – a guide for young
people in and from care” from the National Care Advisory Service (NCAS).
Click here to access an on-line copy Know your rights, know your benefits,
5 GUIDANCE FOR STANDARD SUPPORT PACKAGES:
Allowances/personal support and accommodation costs of eligible and
relevant young people must be covered in Pathway Plans in line with this
guidance. The Department may also assist former relevant young people with
income and accommodation where it is deemed appropriate to do so. In these
circumstances the Pathway Plan must also be used.
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Minimum Standards for Support Packages:
In constructing pathway plans, staff should refer to the following minimum
standards as a guide.
Education
Employment
Accommodation
All care leavers will All care leavers will be
All care leavers will be
be supported through supported through at least one supported to live in
at least one course of transition into employment of suitable accommodation
further education to their choice
commensurate with their
be identified and
assessed need, as
agreed in their
agreed in their Pathway
Pathway Plan
Plan
When not available Costs will be met by the
Costs will be met by the
from other sources, responsible authority for;
responsible authority to
costs will be met by · Specified clothing/uniform;
ensure:
the responsible
· Start up equipment
. rent or lease of
authority for:· Health and safety equipment accommodation for care
· Registration fees; · Public transport from
leavers aged under 18*.
· Course fees;
accommodation to employment · Where there is choice of
· Examination fees; until receipt of first earnings;
accommodation, the cost
· Specified course
will match the local midequipment;
range rate;
· Text books specified
· Care component in
as essential;
supported
· Activities required to
accommodation, ;
meet curriculum;
· Rent guarantee;
· Public transport
· Minimum advance
between
rent/lease;
accommodation and
· Furnishing to ensure
course centre;
sleep, warmth,
· Specified clothing
preparation of food care
of clothing and personal
safety.
Costs will be met by the
responsible authority for;
· Personal allowance that
at least matches benefits
for young people aged
16-17;
· Advice, guidance and
support to access
appropriate health
services (including
therapeutic services), and
the provision of advocacy
support where assessed
need cannot be met
within reasonable time
scales
· Assistance with access
to leisure activities which
promote a healthy
lifestyle, including
provision of a public
sector leisure card or
*financial support for
assistance with
accommodation for
membership of a local
former relevant children leisure centre
will be dependent upon · Contact with family
the young person’s
based on assessed need;
Pathway Plan. These
· Eye and dental
minimum standards may treatment as prescribed,
be applied, except that all to include one set of
benefit entitlement,
spectacle frames per
earnings etc. must be
initial prescription
included in financial
· Annual prescription
calculations.
card;
Financial support will take Personal allowances will
into account earnings of take into account
care leavers in
earnings of care leavers
employment. Where
in employment. Where
available and appropriate, available and appropriate,
young people must
young people will be
access benefits, grants expected to access
etc. to contribute towards benefits, grants etc. to
these costs.
contribute towards these
costs.
Financial support
may take into account
funding sources
including
· Student grants,
bursaries and loans
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Personal Support
All care leavers will be
supported to enable them
to maintain their health
and development and to
take part in their
community
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6 FINANCING ACCOMMODATION:
Practitioners please note:
From 1st August 2013 Norfolk’s Leaving Care Grant arrangements will
change (see 7 below). The total amount of the grant will be increased,
but will now INCLUDE amounts intended to finance rents in advance /
deposits.
Former relevant young people who remain with foster carers:
Details of the financial arrangements for young people in these circumstances
can be found by clicking here and/or in the current CH(F)13.
Private Rented Accommodation:
It is important to recognise that Children’s Services will always place limits on
any liability for rent arrears or damage. Under no circumstances can any
agreement be made where a maximum liability is not stated (liability can be
expressed as a fixed amount or, for example as the equivalent to a specified
number of weeks / months rent). Currently the standard limit for rent
guarantee is an amount equivalent to two months rent, and for damages and
amount equal to the landlord’s insurance excess. If it is considered necessary
to agree to limits outside this, the Social Worker / YPA must discuss this with
the Team Manager / RBO before negotiating or agreeing higher amounts.
Inventory – before a damage deposit is made there should be an examination
of the property to accurately record its condition. The inventory should be
signed on behalf of the department by the social worker/YPA and the landlord
/landlord’s agent to confirm it is an accurate report. A pro-forma survey and
inventory form is available by clicking here. All parties should retain a copy of
the document. Where the young person is 18+, there will be a need to ensure
that their wishes are taken into account. For example, they may not wish the
landlord to know that Children’s Services are involved, and this may constrain
or limit the options available to the young person.
Damage Deposit/Rent Guarantee/ rents in advance – once the inventory has
been signed a payment may be made to the landlord / landlord’s agent. This
deposit should be available for the client to transfer to a new property should
they eventually move. If it is no longer required at the end of the licence/
tenancy it should be returned to Norfolk County Council. At point of payment
there must be a covering letter setting out the above. The covering letter and
pro-forma to be used for confirming damage deposits and rent guarantees are
available by clicking here.
Amounts agreed to cover deposits and rents in advance should be included in
calculations for the young person’s Leaving Care Grant (see 7, below). And
should be recorded in the young person’s Pathway Plan / Pathway Plan
review.
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If it is considered necessary to agree to limits outside those shown in the proforma, the Social Worker / YPA must discuss this with the Team Manager /
RBO before negotiating or agreeing amounts.
Higher Education / University:
As part of Children’s Services’ efforts to support care leavers going into
higher education, young people can negotiate assistance to help meet their
accommodation costs. Where agreed as part of a young person’s pathway
plan Children’s Services will meet the young person’s housing /
accommodation rental costs (based on Halls of Residence / local rented
accommodation rates). University guidance should be obtained where
possible.
Living expenses should be met by grant/loan applications, supplemented
(where appropriate) by part-time employment. Some students may not (for a
variety of reasons) be able to work as well as study. Children’s Services may
consider additional financial support in these cases.
Term Break, temporary accommodation:
For young people in Higher Education regulations require the provision of
accommodation during vacations. Where appropriate, the Social Worker/YPA
should endeavour to ensure that temporary accommodation is offered to
enable clients returning to Norfolk to visit. This can vary from meeting cost of
Bed and Breakfast accommodation to contributing to cost of stay with exfoster carers. The department will only assist in contributing to the cost of one
type of accommodation during this time (i.e. we will not pay for rent at
University accommodation and also accommodation in Norfolk for the same
period), with the exception of brief (e.g. weekend) visits.
Other “unregulated”1 accommodation:
A range of “unregulated” accommodation options are available for young
people aged 16+. These include hostel accommodation, supported lodgings
etc.
The financial arrangements for young people living in unregulated
accommodation must be detailed in the young person’s pathway plan. Eligible
and relevant children are disqualified from benefit, including housing-related
benefit, so these costs should be identified, agreed and met by Children’s
Services.
Former relevant children are able to claim benefit, and it is an expectation that
they will claim all benefit entitlement to reduce any agreed costs to Children’s
Services.
In this instance “unregulated” means accommodation which falls outside the regulatory
responsibilities of Ofsted (i.e. accommodation which is not registered residential or fostering).
1
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Assistance with accommodation costs for former relevant children is a
discretionary matter for Children’s Services, and is not, in itself, an
entitlement. However, practitioners should recognise that suitable, settled
accommodation is a key component in achieving good outcomes and thus
assistance with accommodation costs is a legitimate consideration when
addressing a former relevant child’s Pathway Plan.
7 LEAVING CARE GRANTS:
Leaving Care Grants are part of the wider financial structure which supports
young people leaving care. The grants are intended to assist young people to
purchase equipment etc. associated with independent living, and to enable
young people to obtain accommodation when they leave care. Leaving Care
Grants should always be dealt with through the young person's needs
assessment and pathway planning process, and seen alongside the minimum
standards contained in these procedures.
From 1st August 2013 Leaving Care Grants will include an additional amount
intended to meet the costs of damage and other deposits and rents in
advance associated with securing accommodation (previously, these amounts
were separate to the Leaving Care Grant).
Leaving Care Grants are not generally intended to be used to meet ongoing
accommodation costs, or costs of personal support, although a degree of
negotiation may be possible at the discretion of the Team Manager / RBO.
The grant is a standard amount which can be made available to a young
person from the point at which s/he becomes an eligible child. Amounts and
ways of expenditure must be planned with the young person as part of the
Pathway Planning process. The grant should be made available when the
young person and their YPA agree that it is most appropriate - it can be used
at any time whilst the young person is eligible, relevant or former relevant. It
may be provided in "instalments" to purchase equipment as it is needed, or
can be provided as a lump sum.
The pattern of expenditure should be based on the young person’s
circumstances. For some this could begin whilst in foster care buying for the
‘bottom drawer’, for others spending a small amount whilst in Hostel or bedsit, or helping to furnish a rented flat / tenancy.
The standard amount should be made available to all eligible, relevant and
former relevant young people - it should not be affected by any savings,
income etc. which the young person has.
Some young people will remain in very stable placements and may not move
to independence until after their qualification as a former relevant child ends.
It is important that, where appropriate their Pathway Plan ensures that they
have access to their Leaving Care Grant before their qualification ends.
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Consideration of amounts above the standard amount, or for additional
funding to replace items included in an earlier grant should also form part of
the young person's Pathway Plan. It will be necessary for any additional
expenditure to be agreed with the Team Manager / Responsible Budget
Officer.
Until March 2013, in addition to their leaving care grant many care-leavers
were able to access community care grants from the Social Fund, via the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP),
From April 2013 the Social Fund has been abolished.
Norfolk County Council is now delivering a revised and smaller Local
Assistance Scheme (LAS) through an organisation called Northgate which will
administer new “Emergency Living Grants” and “Living in The Community
grants” which will take the place of the old crisis loan and community care
grants
Care-leavers will not be eligible to apply via the LAS for a Living in The
Community Grant. However, a proportion of the LAS money has been
awarded to Children’s Services which enables an addition to the leaving care
grant of £500. It is to be spent in exactly the same way as the leaving care
grant.
From July 1st the costs associated with securing accommodation will be
included in the standard Leaving Care Grant. An additional amount of £500 is
now included in the standard amount.
This means that from July 1st 2013 the standard amount for setting up grants
is:
£2,000
This will be applied to any young person who becomes an eligible child on or
after July 1st 2013.
This amount can also be applied where:
The young person became an eligible child (i.e. a new care leaver aged 16+)
after 1st April 2011, and was still an eligible, relevant or former relevant child
(i.e. a care leaver aged under 21) on 31st March 2013. In calculating any
additional amounts due to young people meeting these criteria, practitioners
must include any amounts already provided to secure accommodation
(deposits, rents in advance etc.).
Wherever appropriate, young people should be encouraged to control and
make payments themselves. Where there are genuine concerns that finance
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might be used for purposes other than those agreed in the young person's
Pathway Plan, other methods of payment may be necessary. Where
agreement cannot be reached between the young person and the YPA about
payment methods, the Team Manager should be consulted and, as RBO,
their decision should stand.
Under the LAS arrangements Care leavers will be eligible to apply for an
Emergency Living Grant, which replaces in part previous arrangements for
Crisis Loans.
8 ALLOWANCES / PERSONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
The income maintenance needs of Care Leavers must be identified in their
Pathway Plans.
Eligible Children are those still looked after. In the majority of cases their
income will be dealt with through their placement/care plans. The
arrangements for eligible young people placed outside the fostering or
residential sectors should be clarified in placement plans, care plans, and/or
pathway plans as appropriate.
Allowances for eligible young people in fostering placements are detailed in
the current CH(F)13. Arrangements contained in the CH(F)13 should be
followed in all cases.
Relevant Children, in most cases will not be able to claim benefit, so it
becomes the duty of the Children’s Services Department to ensure their
income maintenance until they reach 18. The benefit exceptions are lone
parents and those qualifying for certain disability payments, although in both
cases they will still be excluded from housing-related benefits. The pathway
plan may provide for a "top up" of such payments which can include taking
account of the young person’s non-qualification for housing-related benefit.
Some eligible and relevant young people may qualify for non-means tested
benefit. Social Workers/YPAs are expected to check eligibility for these
benefits and actively help with claiming them.
For information / guidance on benefits for young people, Children’s Services
practitioners have fast-track access to CAB advisers.
Please note that this service is available for practitioners only. CAB
direct contact details must not be given to young people or their
families.
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It is a requirement that relevant young people should be no worse off through
receiving financial support from Children’s Services than they would be on
benefit, even where they do not co-operate with or adhere to agreements
made under their Pathway Plans. Thus the allowances paid to young people
should not fall below the level of benefit which would be paid to their non-care
peers. (See Allowances Amount detailed on CH(F)13 Allowances Chart).
In the benefit system, non-compliance with requirements such as keeping
interview appointments, actively seeking work etc. will result in sanctions,
which can include loss / reduction of benefit.
Young people receiving income maintenance under Pathway Plans are
guaranteed a minimum income equivalent to benefit amounts even if they do
not keep to agreements.
Former relevant children should be assisted to claim benefit. Again, the
Department may offer additional assistance where agreed under the terms of
the Pathway Plan.
9 SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES:
The following information is intended to guide pathway planning for young
people in the circumstances described:
Former relevant young people who remain with foster carers:
Details of financial arrangements, including allowances, can be found here or
in the current CH(F)13.
Eligible and relevant young people who are in Custody:
It is not the County Council's practice to continue the payment of pocket
money and other allowances to children / young people when they are in
custody. When serving custodial sentences young people receive a small
allowance and are able, generally, to earn additional amounts and privileges.
Acting on the Council's behalf, Social Workers/YPAs should consider (and
where appropriate arrange) to provide gifts etc. at Christmas (or other
religious festival) and on birthdays - taking into account any rules for the
establishment where the young person is held. Also, Social Workers/YPAs
should sympathetically consider requests for one-off allowable purchases
such as am radios etc.
As a young person approaches release it will be appropriate to consider
issues such as clothing needs etc., and where appropriate to make
arrangements for funding through the pathway plan to meet these needs.
Pathway planning should continue whilst the young person is in custody
Given the extended period of statutory responsibility arising from the Children
(Leaving Care) Act, if arrangements cannot be made with carers or with the
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young person's family, it may be necessary to arrange paid storage for a
young person's possessions whilst they are in custody.
Financial arrangements for Eligible / Relevant young people who are
detained in Hospital:
As for those in custody. (see above)
Care Leavers from other authorities who live, or plan to live, in Norfolk:
See separate procedure here.
10 CARE LEAVERS ALLOWANCES FOR BIRTHDAYS, CHRISTMAS (OR
OTHER RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL) AND HOLIDAYS:
Eligible children:
Eligible young people (aged 16/17) who are placed with foster carers or in
residential placements etc. should receive these allowances in line with the
scales agreed for their age group. This will be an automatic payment from
County Hall for Birthdays but holiday allowances need to be requested. For
those on Care Orders but living in the community, an Expenditure Proposal
Form will need to be raised to ensure payment of entitlement.
Relevant and Former Relevant children:
A fixed amount is applied for gifts for birthdays and Christmas (or other
Religious Festival) and for a contribution to holiday(s).
The current rate for birthday / Christmas (or other religious festival) is:
£30.00 for each occasion (plus additional small amounts of expenditure for
cards etc. from workers/carers).
A discretionary annual amount of £250 can be made available as a
contribution to a holiday (including, where appropriate, towards holidays
abroad).
These rates apply to relevant and former relevant children up to and including
their 21st birthday, including to former relevant children who remain with
foster carers beyond their 18th birthday as part of their Pathway Plan - the
"standard" fostering allowances for birthdays, holidays etc. should not be
applied in these circumstances.
These amounts should be made available when a young person is engaged in
following their Pathway Plan. Where a young person does not engage in
Pathway Planning, or has not stayed in touch, then as "parent" Children’s
Services may feel it appropriate to withhold the allowances. Also, if it is felt
that a young person might use cash in a way which is harmful to themselves,
again as "parent" the department might wish to provide a gift in a form other
than cash.
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If alternative arrangements or withholding are considered, this should be
discussed with and agreed by the Team Manager / RBO. Wherever possible,
the young person must be involved in discussions and their views listened to.
The reasons for any decision, and why their own wishes cannot be followed,
should be explained to the young person and clearly recorded.
These arrangements cease to apply to former relevant children who continue
to receive support after their 21st Birthday, when expenditure should be
limited to cards and small gifts where appropriate.
11 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS:
Young people who have savings of £3000 or less shall have those savings
disregarded for assistance purposes under the Children (Leaving Care) Act.
Young people who have savings of £19,500 or more are excluded from
receiving financial assistance.
Young people whose savings are between £3,000 and £19.500 shall have a
notional weekly income calculated based on the amount detailed on CH(F)13.
Monies from Criminal Injuries Compensation should be disregarded for
savings assessment purposes.
12 ELIGIBLE AND RELEVANT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GAIN FULL-TIME
EMPLOYMENT:
Financial arrangements for Eligible children who reside in Foster or
Residential Care who gain full-time employment are detailed in the current
CH(F)13. This includes details for the calculation of any contribution to “board
and lodgings”
Relevant children gaining employment will continue to have their
accommodation and income maintenance payments met in full for the first
month of their employment. Thereafter, they will be expected to make a
contribution to their “board and lodgings” using the following formulae:
Where income is above the Income maintenance level (Income Support plus
35%) the young person will make a contribution to their accommodation costs.
That contribution is calculated at 50p in every pound of additional income, up
to the maximum of the personal allowance.
Young people on Training Schemes/Apprenticeships
Where a young person gains a place on a Training Scheme, any allowance
paid by the training provider should be topped up to the current Allowance
Payment.
Young people in post - 16 education
Where a young person stays on at school past their statutory leaving date e.g. to take A or AS levels or GNVQ’s - or starts a similar non-advanced
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course at college, they should receive an Income maintenance payment
based on the appropriate current level of benefit until they complete their
agreed course(s). If a young person becomes 18 whilst in full-time further
education practitioners should ensure that all benefit entitlement is claimed
(see below). Any 16-19 bursary payments received by the young person
should be disregarded.
Young people undertaking Voluntary Work:
If a young person undertakes Voluntary Work as part of their Pathway Plan,
they will continue to receive an Income maintenance allowance based on the
appropriate current level of benefit.
13 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION OR TRAINING:
The Local Authority has a duty to support care leavers in practical ways to
enable them to engage in education or training (when former relevant young
people are undertaking courses of further or higher education, this duty can
continue beyond age 21, until the agreed programme of education is
completed).
The education and training plans of young people must be included in their
Pathway Plans.
Former relevant children in education – benefit entitlement:
Previous restrictions on the payment of means-tested benefit to full-time
students when in higher education, or in non-advanced education after the
age of 19 were relaxed from April 2012.
From the age of 18, care leavers (who are now accepted as ‘estranged from
their families’ for these purposes) who are studying full time (12 hours or
more of ‘guided learning’) and studying a non-advanced education course
(e.g. up to and including A level or NVQ Level 3) can claim IS/HB on the
grounds of being in ‘Relevant Education’.
On the IS regs, the relevant change is in Part 3 para 11 of the Social Security
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regs 2012. This is effective from 1 April 2012
and brought in the following three amendments:
 the age 19 qualification is removed, so it becomes anyone up to age 21
or 21 and "attained that age whilst undertaking a course of full-time,
non-advanced education";
 the course of study can be continuous from, say, GCSE to A Level;
 the end date is effectively the end of the academic year in which the
student becomes 21 - so it could actually be up till 22.
Special equipment etc:
Some courses, such as those in catering, hairdressing, beauty therapy, etc.
require students to provide special equipment or clothing. Other courses
require the purchase of stationery, books or other educational materials.
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In some cases, young people may need to pay an enrolment fee to join a
course. They may be required to go on field or residential trips. There may
also be travel costs incurred to get them to the training provider or educational
establishment.
The Pathway Plan should estimate the cost of these necessities and make
provision for their arrangement as priority items.
Educational support can continue beyond the age of 21 until the agreed
programme of education is completed.
Where possible, young people continuing in education should be encouraged
to help themselves by taking part-time employment, which should be detailed
in the Pathway Plan. In the case of Former Relevant Children, where
appropriate, income from part-time work should be taken into account when
calculating contributions to board and lodging etc.
Where a young person has to move away to study - e.g. University - the
Pathway Plan should make provision for their living arrangements both during
term time and the vacations (see below).
NB Account should be taken of any grants, bursaries, benefits or other
sources of funding which could be accessed for this purpose before
expenditure is agreed. Eligibility for any grants or Student Loans should be
checked.
14 CARE LEAVERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION:
The department wishes to support young people who have realistic
aspirations to enter Higher Education. The young person’s aspirations and
their reality should be evident in ongoing Pathway Planning and Pathway Plan
Reviews.
Where appropriate, we will support a young person in attending up to three
higher education admission interviews. If a young person wishes to arrange
more than three interviews the Social Worker/YPA should discuss and agree
this with the RBO.
It is essential that the arrangements for supporting a young person during a
course of higher education are negotiated, detailed and agreed in their
Pathway Plan. As a standard, Children’s Services will ensure the provision of
accommodation; usually by funding 100% of the costs of suitable reasonable
accommodation (see above). The young person is then expected to meet all
additional “living costs” by taking out student loans, gaining part-time and/or
vacation employment. No additional personal allowance is paid by the
Council.
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In addition, provision should be made for fares for return visits to Norfolk, and
where necessary to top-up grants/bursaries obtained for the payment of
additional tuition fees.
Student Bursaries:
Former relevant children who engage in Higher Education as part of their
Pathway Plan are entitled to a bursary of £2,000 during their course. The
entitlement applies to any HE course that lasts for at least two academic
years.
The bursary is in addition to any other funding agreed in the young person’s
Pathway Plan.
It is for the authority to decide, after consultation with the young person,
whether to pay the bursary as a lump sum or by instalments.
If the bursary is to be paid as a lump sum, it must be paid at the start of the
course. If it is to be paid by instalments, it is up to the authority to decide, after
consultation with the former relevant child, the amount and timing of each
payment, as well as the total number of payments. The only restriction is that
the final instalment must be paid before the end of the last year of the course
15 SUPPORT IN EMPLOYMENT:
Pathway Plans should detail any support to be offered to young people
looking to commence employment. Those not already working or participating
in Education or Training should be registered for work to qualify for assistance
in job search and to receive National Insurance credits etc.
16 SPECIFIC AND/OR ONE-OFF AREAS OF PERSONAL SUPPORT:
These procedures and the guidance which they contain are intended to assist
staff and RBOs when making decisions regarding financial arrangements for
care leavers. So far as possible, Children’s Services wish to have a
consistent and equitable approach to finance and leaving care. The following
section contains details of approaches to specific issues of leaving care
finance which have been agreed. They should be applied in all relevant
situations unless there are clear reasons for not doing so. These reasons
should be recorded.
Clothing:
No young person should have to transport their clothing about in bin liners.
Suitcases / hold-alls should be provided.
Assistance can be provided for Interview clothes where deemed necessary.
Assistance can be provided for college essentials (e.g. Safety equipment)
Assistance can be provided for funeral attire.
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Pregnant young women can expect support with maternity wear (Pregnant
clients are able to claim Income Support eleven weeks prior to the ‘due’ date.
This will trigger the maternity grant).
Emergency payments for clothing (e.g. winter coat.) can be requested.
Contact with family / significant others:
Pathway Plans should identify significant people with whom a young person
needs to keep in contact, and the methods by which the contact is to happen.
Where costs are involved, arrangements should be made to ensure that the
contact is facilitated to a reasonable level.
Driving Lessons:
There are many reasons to support the provision of financial help with driving
lessons. However, it is important to manage a young person’s expectations.
The costs of motoring, especially for young people aged under 25, are very
high and it is not NCC policy to assist young people with the purchase of a
vehicle or to finance insurance.
The provision of help with driving lessons is discretionary, and we should
expect evidence of a young person’s commitment before considering
providing financial help. There are many reasons for providing such help – for
some young people being able to drive can open up employment
opportunities, for others it can help overcome social isolation. Success in
driving can affect a young person’s self esteem, and for most young people it
is part of growing up!
As corporate parent it is reasonable for a young person to look to us to assist
with finance for this. On the other hand, as a responsible parent it is
reasonable for us to look to the young person to contribute to the process.
When considering a request from a young person:
1.
Any agreement should be built into the young person’s Pathway Plan.
The young person should already be engaged in following their overall
Pathway Plan.
2.
The young person should understand that we will expect them to
contribute – generally on a “matched” basis.
3.
If (2) is accepted and agreed, we will pay for the young person’s first
Provisional Driving Licence.
4.
Once the young person has obtained their Provisional Driving Licence
we will negotiate to match-fund for up to 10 one-hour driving lessons with an
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approved driving instructor (i.e. the young person will also pay for up to 10
lessons).
5.
Further match-funded lessons would depend upon individual
circumstances.
6.
Depending on individual circumstances, we will consider making a
contribution to the cost of the young person’s theory and driving tests.
7.
If a young person fails their driving test, there is discretion to continue to
match-fund further lessons if this is felt to be appropriate.
8.
When a young person passes their driving test, as an acknowledgement
of their achievement we will pay for their first “full” driving licence.
Motorbikes
As above
Additional funding may need to be negotiated re. safety gear (i.e.
Helmet/clothing)
Financial Advisors
Young people who have inherited funds, Trust funds or Criminal Injuries
Compensation should be encouraged to seek and accept independent
financial advice prior to accessing these funds.
Funerals
Sensitivity is required. Young people should be assisted in order to ensure
they are suitable attired and are able to get to/from the venue.
Health Costs
Orthodontic work agreed as part of Care Plan / Pathway Plan will be funded.
Glasses / Contact Lens - Addition costs (over and above NHS entitlement) will
be met subject to usual conditions. Funding will not be provided for cosmetic /
fashion contact lenses that do not require prescription.
Prescription charges – if circumstances dictate, we will provide funding for
essential medication.
Hobbies
Young people should be encouraged to pursue personal activities and
consideration can be given to contributing in this area.
Holidays
If parents have not already purchased – Passport will be funded for young
people.
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For eligible young people refer to Fostering payments CH(F)13
For relevant and former relevant young people, there is a discretionary
amount of £250 for requested help with Holidays. (This is not money young
people can demand but staff can be proactive in linking to Pathway Plan)
School / College trips
Each should be viewed as a separate request and judged on its merit with the
young person’s school/college attendance taken into account.
Insurance
House Contents Insurance – as we have invested in belongings of young
person (via £1000 Leaving Care Grant), the social worker/YPA should ensure
this area is considered. For young people living in a Housing Association
Tenancy – most Housing Association’s offer inexpensive insurance deals. For
young people in private short-hold tenancy agreements, private cover may
need to be explored.
Car Insurance
This is not an expense we would normally consider contributing to.
Holiday Insurance
This is an expense that we can consider contributing to, or covering
dependant on young person’s circumstances.
Job and other Interviews
Discretionary payments can be considered to ensure that young people are
suitably attired and have the means to travel to/from any interview.
Transport
For those young people who do not qualify for help through education
department, travel passes can be purchased to enable access to school /
college
Some educational bus passes can be ‘topped up’ for a small fee, to enable
use for social/pleasure travel
For those young people at University, assistance can be provided during term
breaks to enable a return to Norfolk.
Kickstart is an organisation which has modern mopeds available to young
people meeting their criteria.
Assistance can be considered to enable young people to attend interviews /
medical appointments etc.
T.V. Licenses
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It is recognised that most young people will purchase a Television as part of
their Leaving Care Grant purchases. As it is a requirement to have a TV
Licence we feel it is appropriate to purchase the first years licence ( this would
be in addition to the leaving care grant) and then encourage the young person
to save (e.g. to purchase TV savings stamps) for subsequent years.
Visiting Relatives abroad
It is the Departments responsibility to enable young people to retain contact
with their family. In exceptional circumstances this may involve travelling
abroad to achieve this.
In such circumstances the Assistant Director must be involved in any
discussion prior to any agreement to fund such a trip.
15 SUPPORT WITH CONTINGENCIES AND EMERGENCIES:
Pathway Plans should contain arrangements for contingencies and
emergencies which may arise.
Generally it will be the responsibility of the Social Worker/YPA to act as the
first point of contact should the unexpected happen or things go wrong.
It is a guiding principle that the Local Authority should act as a good and
prudent parent in these situations and that there is an understanding that
young people do make mistakes and should be treated with sensitivity.
Where urgent special financial support is required, Social Workers/YPAs
should refer to Team Managers or Operational Managers for approval to act
outside the Pathway Plan.
Where a young person suffers loss of money due to theft, discretion should be
used based on each circumstance. The loss should be reported to the police
and any cash may be replaced or food vouchers etc. issued.
Methods of Payments:
Payment methods should be discussed, agreed and documented in the
Pathway Plan.
An expenditure proposal form must be completed detailing expenditure to be
made and method of payments. This must be signed by the appropriate
authorising officer.
Financial Records
For management and audit purposes it is essential that all expenditure in
respect of a young person is processed in line with departmental procedures
and is properly recorded.
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