Children leaving care to be helped by new measures

The Scottish executive has launched new proposals to help the
transition from care to independent living for looked after
children, writes Derren Hayes.

The care leavers draft guidance aims to ensure care leavers have
somewhere safe to live, appropriate help with their income and
access to health services. It proposes improvements in the way
assessments of young people’s needs are carried out,
involving them closer in the through care and aftercare process and
strengthening follow-up contact to ensure they receive sufficient
support.

There are around 11,000 children and young people who are looked
after by Scottish local authorities, including 1,300 aged over
16.

The guidance will be consulted on for three months, with
regulations due to come into effect from April next year.

Launching the draft guidance, deputy education and young people
minister Euan Robson said the guidance would help to tackle some of
the social problems many care leavers encounter when they move into
independent living.

“Leaving home is a daunting experience for most young
people, but particularly for looked after children who often do not
have parents or relatives to call on for support. It is therefore
crucial that these vulnerable young people receive the appropriate
support to enable them to make a successful transition to adult
life,” he added.

Through
care and after care consultation