Moving into foster care

Foster Care

If you are living in a foster home, it is likely that you will have to leave when you reach 18 years. However, in some circumstances it can be arranged for some young people to remain with their foster carers after their 18th birthday. The manager of the 16+ team will have to agree to this arrangement, as your foster carer will no longer receive fostering allowance. Your social worker will carry out a needs assessment to establish what support you will require when you leave.

Your carer will help you develop and practice skills you will need to manage after you leave, such as: personal care, learning to cook, managing money, attending to your health, dealing with official agencies, problem solving.

Many young people have a close relationship with their foster carers and keep in touch even after they've left. Foster carers can be a real support because they know you.