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For any young person, leaving home is a major life transition. The rights of looked after children leaving care should be protected by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 which should ensure that all looked after children are properly supported until they are 21. Good preparation before leaving the foster home and support in the early days afterwards leads to good outcomes, and preparation therefore needs to begin as soon as a child or young person enters the care system. Throughcare is an approach that recognises that, rather than being an event, leaving care is a process with no abrupt beginning or end.

Useful links

Publications and resources from the Fostering Network

Leaving Care Bookmarks
Publisher: The Fostering Network
Date: 2006
Free promotional bookmarks with details of our leaving care publications
Price: Free
Full details…
Moving on from foster care
Publisher: The Fostering Network
Date: 2007
Policy paper on moving on from foster care.
Price: Free
Full details…
Moving on from foster care: consultation paper
Publisher: The Fostering Network
Date: 2007
Download the consultation document for young people on the topic of leaving care from this web page.
Price: Free
Full details…
Preparation for Adult Life (PAL)
Publisher: The Fostering Network
Date: 2003
PAL is a must-have for personal advisers, foster carers, residential child care workers and anyone else who is actively involved in preparing young people leaving care for the challenges of adult life.
Code: 7197
Price: £13 members, £26 non-members
Full details…
Stepping Out
Publisher: The Fostering Network
Our popular Stepping Out guide is a must-have for all care leavers. This practical handbook provides young people with all they need to know about the key responsibilities of adulthood.
Code: 7196
Price: £8 members, £16 non-members
Full details…
Throughcare policy briefing
Publisher: The Fostering Network
See the England section for more background on this policy briefing.
Price: Free
Full details…