Money and support to help you

The Leaving Care Service has a range of ways to help you learn how to budget and become independent up to the age of 21 (or 25 if you are in higher education).

This can include financial help

However receiving this help will depend on how old you are and whether you are an eligible care leaver, a relevant care leaver, or a former relevant care leaver or a qualifying care leaver.

It will also depend on what is happening with you at a given time and how the service makes sure we are getting the balance right between helping you learn and take responsibility for your decisions and circumstances.

It may be that:

  • money is paid directly into your account

  • money is offered in some other way such as vouchers or a bus pass

  • we spend it with you on a supervised spend

  • we forward the money to the person caring for you

  • our assessment of where you are at may mean that you do not receive that entitlement when you ask for it but at some point when you are older and better placed to make use of the entitlement, for example driving lessons