The Leaving Care Handbook : Helping and Supporting Care Leavers

The Children Leaving Care Act 2000 imposed on local authorities a range of duties and responsibilities.

However, preparation and support for leaving care should not just be about entitlements; it should help the young people fulfil their potential and take their rightful place in society.

This is a comprehensive, accessible and intensely practical response to these needs it is also an important information resource for young people themselves so copies should be available in every leaving care office.

Based on questions young people themselves have asked, the book aims to provide practical solutions, respecting the fact that each of them is unique so will need different help and advice at different times in different quantities and in different ways.

Easy to use and understand, the sections are helpfully placed in the order of a pathway plan.

Much of the material may be copied or used as OHP foils or as handouts to staff or young people.

The book gives key information, tips, guidance sheets, notes, charts and diagrams; and there are handy checklists and summaries. Alongside the many practical aspects of leaving care such as accommodation, cooking, budgeting, keeping healthy, this book also addresses: raising aspirations and self esteem; creating opportunities so care leavers can be equal to those who have not been in the care system; achieving educational potential; reducing social isolation; reducing the stigma of care; having high but realistic expectations; involving young people in decisions that affect their lives.

This important book will help all those working with care leavers to provide a service they can be proud of and young people can benefit from and appreciate.