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Original poster

How to help children coming out of foster care?

56 replies

LadyGillingham · 13/04/2025 15:28

Im assuming children in foster care are on their own after 18? Or does someone look after them?

What kind of help/support will they need?

OP posts:
FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 08:39

LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:34

I’m not looking for a job.

Show quote history

Have you explored being an independent visitor? I know you aren't looking for a job, I'm just trying to make the gentle point that the role you're seeking to fulfil exists and people are employed to do it. Independent visitors can befriend and mentor young people in care but it's a long term commitment.

MyRedBear · 14/04/2025 08:39

I work with Young people age 16 upwards in the care system our company provides support up to 25 years old and prepared them to leave care and live independently. It is a lot of work but rewarding but we are trained in the support you have offered , maybe a Google to see what's in your area but you will have to have a dbs check and possibly induction to work with these young people rightly so as they are extremely vulnerable.

Smallmercies · 14/04/2025 08:38

Are you hoping to befriend a care leaver and have them move in with you?

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 14/04/2025 08:37

Queeneel · 14/04/2025 08:35

You are planning on taking on a big role in this young adult’s life post foster but you don’t have any knowledge of their SW and support worker?

do you have any contact with the foster family?

I think it's a more general wanting to help than it being a family member? Could be wrong!

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 14/04/2025 08:36

Look to see if local independent fostering agencies or schools have mentoring schemes. That sounds like what you are looking to do from your latest post. As another poster said, care experienced youngsters will get a lot of this via their social work team. Other youngsters might not, but really benefit, which is the reason for me saying to look for mentoring schemes within the local community.

Queeneel · 14/04/2025 08:35

You are planning on taking on a big role in this young adult’s life post foster but you don’t have any knowledge of their SW and support worker?

do you have any contact with the foster family?

GRex · 14/04/2025 08:35

Even if these particular children should have a SW, you can help advocate for them and having extra helpful adults can only be a good thing. While the SW will help with work etc and you can advise where asked, if you are an involved adult then it is worth considering how to help fill the gap they may have in general family support So offering a monthly Sunday lunch, a celebration meal around Easter and Christmas, thoughtful gifts for Birthday and Christmas, celebration drinks out for first job offer etc.

Original poster
LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:34

Queeneel · 14/04/2025 08:24

Are you in contact with their SW?

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There is no individual in mind. I don’t know who SW is.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:34

FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 08:26

These are all the role and remit of a leaving care personal adviser, which every care leaver will have. Have you got relevant experience that would suit you for this role?

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I’m not looking for a job.

OP posts:
FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 08:26

LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:20

thanks for the replies.
Im looking to help (in general). I can provide them with basics (not housing), support with they need guidance, talk about finances, relationships, making responsible choices, career options, motivate/encourage.

I can also guide them to learn to code (I work in tech), arrange workexp and help with job hunt.

These are all the role and remit of a leaving care personal adviser, which every care leaver will have. Have you got relevant experience that would suit you for this role?

Queeneel · 14/04/2025 08:24

LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:20

thanks for the replies.
Im looking to help (in general). I can provide them with basics (not housing), support with they need guidance, talk about finances, relationships, making responsible choices, career options, motivate/encourage.

I can also guide them to learn to code (I work in tech), arrange workexp and help with job hunt.

Are you in contact with their SW?

Original poster
LadyGillingham · 14/04/2025 08:20

thanks for the replies.
Im looking to help (in general). I can provide them with basics (not housing), support with they need guidance, talk about finances, relationships, making responsible choices, career options, motivate/encourage.

I can also guide them to learn to code (I work in tech), arrange workexp and help with job hunt.

OP posts:
Songlines · 13/04/2025 16:49

In my LA they have a PA from 16/18 and ongoing support until they are 25.

Simonjt · 13/04/2025 16:43

LAs are supposed to provide support until 25, this varies greatly and in many cases is completely inadequate. It was non-existent where I was at 17, nevermind 18, I know that LA still performs very poorly.

HereintheloveofChristIstand · 13/04/2025 16:22

I have a fruebd who fostered two teenage twins. They are now 19 and they have an ‘onward care’ agreement so they come home to them in uni holidays. It’s a lovely arrangement.

Sunshineandrainbow · 13/04/2025 16:21

They have specific care leaver workers in my LA.

I would love to do some voluntary work in this area of need. Does anyone know of any charities?

GRex · 13/04/2025 16:14

The local council are obliged to provide support until age 25: https://www.gov.uk/leaving-foster-or-local-authority-care. If you know a child who needs signposting to support then you can start them off here. An adult over 18 is not obliged to take any help if they do not want it.

Leaving foster or local authority care

Leaving foster or local council care - support from your council, review meetings and financial help

https://www.gov.uk/leaving-foster-or-local-authority-care.

Weedoormatnomore · 13/04/2025 16:13

Varies on the child so does the age. A lot are still in education after 18.

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 13/04/2025 16:11

In some parts of Scotland there is continuing care for some care experienced youngsters. They stay until, I think, 21. There's also permanence orders which are almost being adopted, where the care experienced youngster can expect to be part of the family for life.
Even with these long-term mechanisms, care experienced youngsters tend to need a lot of support to transition into being independent adults, especially so they don't end up being taken advantage of.

Sunny91 · 13/04/2025 16:10

Another difficulty is that at eighteen support is very much consent based, adults are allowed to make ‘unwise decisions’, but an eighteen year old living with family or who hasn’t been in care may have stronger guidance around them.

FortyElephants · 13/04/2025 16:08

Are you talking about a specific young person or careleavers in general?
You can have a look at the leaving care act if you want to see what careleavers are entitled to in law.

Sunny91 · 13/04/2025 16:07

Generally speaking, an eighteen year old leaving care will still be supported by a leaving care worker who they should have been introduced to from sixteen onwards. Housing etc should all be set up. From my own experience, there can be difficulties particularly for young people who aren’t in education or work around being lonely, and vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

Itsahabitnotharm · 13/04/2025 16:06

Is it LA dependent or set by government that it has to be 18? I do think if the age was set higher eg 21 and some kind of graduated support scheme from 18-21 outcomes could be vastly improved for care leavers

PleaseDontFingerMyPouffe · 13/04/2025 16:05

Care leavers get very little to no support, its very much a recognised problem.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 13/04/2025 16:04

Is it someone specific you are wanting to help OP?