Peterborough City Council may either be providing care or
arranging accommodation for you
Local authorities have a legal duty towards 16
and 17 year olds in who are in care or are care leavers. They
have a responsibility for young people in such circumstances up to
the age of 21.
What You Are Entitled To?
As a young person leaving care you can get
help with:
living expenses and accommodation
costs
financial help whilst at further
education provided providing you start the course before the age of
21.
How Peterborough City Council can
help
All young people leaving care will have a
named Leaving Care Personal Adviser to:
give you advice and support
put together your Pathway Plan
make an assessment of your
needs
Your Pathway Plan
This is to help you plan your future and
covers some of the following areas:-
how to get the job, training or
further education course you want.
what financial help you need to
support your plans.
your accommodation needs.
how to deal with any health issues
you may have.
An identification of the people
who can support you.
If you are 16-17 you are entitled
to:
an assessment of your needs
if you are not working or
receiving a training allowance, we will pay you an Income
Maintenance Allowance that will equal the same amount as Income
Support, Job Seeker's Allowance and Local Housing Allowance to make
sure you don't lose out. This is because 16 and 17 year olds
are not normally entitled to claim benefits.
If you are 18-21 you are entitled
to:
financial help with employment,
education and training
vacation accommodation if you are
at university or a residential college.
Setting Up Home
A Leaving Care Grant helps you with the
expense of furnishing a tenancy.
If you are getting Income Support or
Jobseeker's Allowance you may be able to get a Community Care
Grant. These grants cannot be used for rent deposits but could help
you pay for:
bedding, furniture and household
equipment
gas and electricity connection
charges.
Other support may be available depending on
your circumstances:
Income Maintenance Allowances if
you are 16-17 to match what you would receive if you were entitled
to benefits
Local Housing Allowance and Income
Support if you are 18 or over.
help with education costs, course
fees, equipment and transport.
when you get a job, financial help
until your first pay day.
special clothes or equipment to
enable you to start a job.
support to help you keep in
contact with your family.
clothing allowances if you are
16-17.
birthday and Christmas
allowances.
Accommodation
We will do all we can to help you find
suitable accommodation. This may include Supported Lodgings
where you get your own room but still have the support of carers on
hand should you need them.
Have a look at the Carelaw website for
information on issues regarding those in care and care leavers