Children leaving care and aftercare
Leaving and After Care services are provided to young people who are leaving care and to support young people who have left care to improve their life prospects as they make the transition to independent living. Central to this are duties on HSC Trusts to assess and meet young people’s individual needs up to the age of 21 (or beyond if in education).
Legislation
Current legislation in relation to the provision of Leaving and After Care Services in Northern Ireland is set out within;
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
- Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
- The Children (Leaving Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
The Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
The main purpose of the Children (Leaving Care) Act is to improve the life prospects of young people who are looked after by Health and Social Care Trusts as they make the transition to independent living. To achieve this, the Act amends the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to place new and enhanced duties on Health and Social Care Trusts to support young people leaving care.
The main aims of the act are to prevent premature discharges from care, improve preparation, planning and consistency of support for young people, and to strengthen arrangements for financial assistance. Central to the act, are duties to assess and meet young people's individual needs, provide personal advisers and develop pathway planning for young people up to the age of 21 (or beyond if continuing in education).
The Children (Leaving Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
The regulations support the provisions of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002. They set out in more detail the matters to be taken into account by Health and Social Care Trusts when assessing and meeting the needs of those preparing to leave care and those who have left care. The regulations cover;
- the qualifying criteria for the leaving and aftercare arrangements
- the assessment of need
- the preparation and review of pathway plans
- the functions of personal advisers
- the assistance young people will receive with education, training and accommodation
Guidance and Regulations
Guidance for Health and Social Care professionals on Leaving and After Care Services is contained within;
Guidance for Young People Leaving Care
The Department and VOYPIC has produced a guide Leaving Care? Lost? Your Step by Step Guide to Leaving Care for young people leaving care regarding the entitlements and services available to them under the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.
Standards - Leaving Care Services in Northern Ireland
Standards for Leaving Care Services in Northern Ireland were published by Child Care Policy Directorate on 26 September 2012. The document sets out Minimum Standards for Leaving and Aftercare Services in Northern Ireland. The Standards specify the arrangements, services and procedures that need to be in place and implemented to ensure the delivery of quality services for young people leaving care. These Standards apply to Health and Social Care Trusts and those other agencies commissioned by a Health and Social Care Trust to deliver leaving and aftercare services.