Leaving Care Financial Support Categories & Entitlements

Transcription

1 Central Bedfordshire Council Leaving Care Service Leaving Care Financial Support Categories & Entitlements Financial Policy for Eligible, Relevant & Former Relevant young people

2 Introduction This policy provides guidance for practitioners working with care leavers on all aspects of eligibility for financial support available from CBC 16+ Team. The policy sets out the type and amount of allowances that care leavers are entitled to receive based on their status and circumstances. The figures given refer to the financial year and will be updated on an annual basis in line with any agreed changes in rates. Eligibility For the purpose of this document, entitlement to services is based on the following categories: - Eligible young people are young people aged 16 and 17 who have been looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 [including their 16 th birthday] and are still looked after. Services are designed to help them prepare for leaving care. - Relevant young people are young people who have left care and are aged between 16 and 17 years old, and were previously eligible. - Former Relevant young people are young people aged between 18 to 21 years old, or 24 years old if they started a higher education course before the age of 21 or 21 (dependent on a needs assessment) and were previously either eligible or relevant, or both. - Former Relevant care leavers are young people aged between 21 to 25 years old in Education or Training. Page 1

3 Notes and Implementation Issues All allowances should be based on an assessment of need and be set out in the young person s Pathway Plan. Discussion should take place with the young person as part of their financial assessment. The plan must also highlight any attached conditions, how payments will be made, the frequency of payments and when they will be reviewed. Leaving care social workers should ensure that all young people have a bank account and where possible pay all allowances to young people through their account. This policy has been produced following consultation with young care leavers, foster carers, social care staff, finance staff and residential workers. The allowances set out in the following sections apply to all Eligible, Relevant, Former Relevant and Qualifying young people dependent on their legal/immigration status and an assessment of their needs. Care leavers who are also unaccompanied asylum seeking children are entitled to the same allowances as any other care leaver. However, allowances to this group of young people once they are over 18 may be affected as a result of their immigration status. Page 2

4 Section 1 Eligible and Relevant Children Aged 16 & 17 who are living in semi-independent and independent placements not provided directly by CBC 16+ Team 16 and 17 year olds (Section 31 or Section 20) living in hostels/semi-independent and independent placements not directly provided by CBC 16+ Team. 16 and 17 year olds who were previously accommodated under Section 20 who have ceased to be looked after living in hostels/semi-independent or independent settings. Category Weekly amount Comments Accommodation* Leaving Care Maintenance Allowance* Fares Course equipment 16 to 19 Bursary Fund Current Rate Discounted Travel Card varies [depending on individual need] 1200 per year [if paid weekly amounts to 40 per week if the course is 30 weeks] Placement & accommodation costs to be met in full for young people up to the age of 18. Where young people are moving into private sector accommodation the rent level must be within the local Housing Benefit Reference Rent, this can be ascertained via a pre-tenancy determination. Any requirement to provide a deposit and rent in advance must be clarified prior to the tenancy agreement being authorised. Benefit rate for 16 to 18 year olds living independently. This is provided to young people who are studying, undertaking unpaid training or looking for employment etc. Young people who are undertaking paid training will get the equivalent or a higher allowance from their training provider. Young people will be given financial assistance in form of a Travel Card if they are in full-time education, training or employment. Additionally, the Student Card will assist with family contact, leisure & cultural needs. For young people placed outside of CBC, the Social Worker will purchase a Student Card to ensure that receipts are available for auditing purposes (attached to financial request form). Young people will need to apply to the Learning Support Fund before enrolment (if possible) for course equipment. The college administrates this fund. If funding is refused proof will be needed from the college. CBC 16+ Team may then provide equipment costs for education courses, depending on assessment of need. Young people who are undertaking full-time education course or unpaid training courses (12 hours study/training and contact time) are eligible to apply for a Bursary Fund via college or training provider. Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) with refugee status or DLR are eligible to apply, but will require a bank account for the weekly allowance to be paid. Young people undertaking training or voluntary work that are not eligible for a Bursary may be eligible to receive an incentive of 10 per week. Page 3

5 Category Weekly amount Comments Traineeships/ Apprenticeships/ volunteering or Employment (Engagement incentive will be paid if the activity does not attract a bursary or maintenance grant) Reduction in financial support when Young People are in paid employment or training. If below an incentive of 30 will be paid if it s a full-time activity, 15 if its part-time. Young people who are undertaking a paid traineeship or modern apprenticeship will not receive the Leaving Care Maintenance Allowance but will be given the equivalent or a higher allowance from their training provider. If special equipment is required, in the first instance the training provider may provide this. If not, and depending on an assessment of need, it will be provided by CBC 16+ Team. If the traineeship/modern apprenticeship allowance is less than per week CBC 16+ Team will pay an engagement incentive. CBC 16+ Team will purchase equipment and/or clothing to assist the young person with their chosen employment e.g. interview clothes, overalls, protective clothing, depending on an assessment of need (see Clothing Allowance section). Additionally, the Leaving & Aftercare Team may assist with the cost of travel to interviews. Reduction in Financial Support: When a young person has an income of net or more their leaving care maintenance allowance will cease. When a young person has an income of net or more their incentive payment will cease. To assist a young person with making a successful transition to employment. Full-time work bridging grant of JSA/ISA equivalent per week for a maximum of 4 weeks will be paid while waiting for their first salary payment. Personal Luggage* [one off payment] (one-off payment) All young people moving to independence or between placements must at least 2 items of appropriate personal luggage. Moving cost Moving to tenancy semi - independent* Cost of move * Categories marked with asterisk are not paid to young people in foster care. The move on costs will be met by CBC 16+ Team and is subject to individual circumstances and need. Page 4

6 Category Amount Comments Clothing* Child Maternity Grant Healthy Start Voucher 20 per month plus a one off winter clothing payment of b) 100 [oneoff] 200 per baby available to 16 and 17 year olds. 11 weeks prior to the due birth date 3.10 per week This is a 20 per month clothing allowance, which can be paid weekly, monthly or quarterly and can be paid directly to the young person or spent by the leaving care social worker in the company of the young person. The arrangements for providing and spending the clothing allowance should be set out in the young person s pathway plan and be dependent on an assessment of need. Young people must produce receipts for clothing purchases. If receipts are not produced the allowance will cease. A one off for winter clothes payment from the 30 th September until the end of February, via the social worker. The 120 winter clothing allowance is paid to young people who are under the age of 18 from the 30 th September. Where a young person s 18 th birthday falls on the 30 th September they will qualify for the winter clothing allowance. In situations where a young person is 18 on or after the 1 st October they will not receive the allowance. Where young people have a job interview, proof will be required of interview. CBC 16+ Team will provide a 200 one-off Maternity Grant. This is available from 11 weeks before the Birth Due Date to assist young people with preparing for the birth of a new baby and should be used to purchase essential equipment. The majority of items required for the new baby can be purchased from the Sure Start Maternity Grant ( 500) that is available from the birth of the baby (Social Fund SF100 form). CBC 16+ Team will assist young people who are parents to maximise their income from all available sources such as benefits, Sure Start etc. Eligible & relevant young people are entitled to claim Income Support from the day their child is born. Submitting a claim for Income Support is a pre-requisite for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. Payment Equivalent to the Value of the Healthy Start Voucher, until the birth of the baby. From the birth of the baby entitlement is linked to a means tested benefit claim. From at least 10 weeks pregnant per week for Milk, Fruit and Vegetables. * Categories marked with asterisk are not paid to young people in foster care. Page 5

7 Category Amount Comments Introduction to Driving Emergency Payments/food vouchers/exceptional Circumstances* License, 1 Theory Test, 5 Lessons & 1 Practical Test. Or a Motor Car & Motor Cycle/Scooter Available to year olds varies as dependent on assessment of need. CBC 16+ Team will provide the funding for a provisional driving license, one theory test and the cost of 5 [1 hour] lessons to introduce young people to driving. This is available to young people aged 17, 18, 19 & 20 year olds and is conditional on the young person matching the cost of the 5 driving lessons provided by the 16+ Team. This will enable the young person to have 10 [10 hours total] trial lessons. This is an incentive and linked to relevant education, employment or training activity e.g. apprenticeship. Young should be encouraged to save the money as part of their independent skills training. Young people must pay the cost of the 5 lessons to their social worker, foster carer/keyworker who will then book the 10, one-hour lessons. In general, by paying for 10 lessons in a block, driving schools may provide extra lessons. Additionally, the 16+ Team will pay for one practical driving test. This is dependent on an approved driving school recommending that the young person is ready to take the test. Depending on an assessment of need the Introduction to Driving equivalent funding can be transferred to a Certificate in basic Training/Forklift Truck Driving course if it does not attract funding from elsewhere. The 16+ Team will provide a maximum of 3 cash payments in any 6-month period. Where a young person requests an emergency payment due to difficulties with budgeting, the personal adviser will explore with the young person how their weekly maintenance allowance is provided. The second request for an emergency payment will result in the young person being given two choices on how their will be provided: Two payments of and one payment of per-week. Social Worker accompanying the young person shopping, ensuring that is spent on food, is spent on utilities/bills and the remaining is given in cash. Where a young person requests more than 3 emergency cash payments in any 6-month period, they can be assisted with a maximum of 3 food parcels to a maximum value of each. * Categories marked with asterisk are not paid to young people in foster care. Page 6

8 Category Amount Comments Birthday* 17 th birthday Landmark 18 th birthday Gift/gifts to the value of 40.00/ and/or contribution towards the cost of celebrations. Responsibility for the purchase of the gift/gifts rests with the social worker. Only in exceptional circumstances can the 40.00/ be given to the young person in cash. Gift vouchers should be provided as an alternative to cash. Social activities & Leisure* The birthday allowance will only be paid to young people who remain in regular face to face contact with CBC 16+ Team. 300 [up to] Young people will be eligible to apply for a local Leisure Card, if they live outside CBC social worker will assist in obtaining one from resident authority. Young people should be encouraged and assisted to explore the leisure facilities that accept the local Leisure Card. Where appropriate and depending on assessment of need, CBC 16+ Team will pay for hobby or fee for leisure club, if a leisure card is not available. Counselling, Health & Therapeutic Needs Family contact or contact with significant others* varies Travel warrant Financial assistance provided to pursue hobbies and leisure interests should be governed by the principle that these activities can be afforded by the young person at the age of eighteen, when they take over financial responsibility for their own affairs. CBC 16+ Team will assist young people to access services to meet their health and development needs via the looked after children health provision and via universal health services. Where appropriate and dependent on the assessment of need, CBC 16+ Team may provide funds to secure additional health services via the CBC Resource Panel Where young people have family members or significant contacts that live outside of Bedfordshire costs may be provided following an assessment of need. Child Care Costs* varies Lone parents, who wish to return to education, start a traineeship or take up employment opportunities, will be assisted to identify funds to cover or contribute to child-care costs. In the first instance, colleges, the Care to Learn Fund, E2E, Sure Start, the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and Department of Work and Pensions (benefits agency) must be approached as sources of potential child-care funding as lone parents are a priority group for their support. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, with all options having been explored without success, CBC 16+ Team may contribute towards the costs of child-care this would need to be agreed via CBC Resource Panel * Categories marked with asterisk are not paid to young people in foster care. Page 7

9 Category Amount Comments Key Documents* CBC 16+ Team will purchase a passport & 1 birth certificate for each young person. CBC 16+ Team will meet the full cost of the nationality and citizenship process, if the young person meets the application criteria Christmas/Festivals Allowance* 20 at age 16 to 17 Young people who do not celebrate Christmas will be given a choice as to when their festival allowance is to be provided. Specific Needs i.e. Religious, Cultural or other Special needs* Winter Heating Allowance* varies 10 per month of 1 st Winter of Independent Living total of 60. * Categories marked with asterisk are not paid to young people in foster care. CBC 16+ Team will assist young people to access services to meet their special needs. Where appropriate and dependent on the assessment of need, CBC 16+ Team may provide funds to secure additional services i.e. skin and hair care and dietary requirements. Young people living in independent accommodation who are responsible for, and pay variable utility and heating costs will be provided with a winter fuel allowance. The allowance is available for Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb & March of the first winter they are living independently [unless its included in the overall placements costs]. This could be provided as two payments of 30 one in September and one in December. Page 8

10 Section 2 Former Relevant children Young person aged 18 to 21 if they commenced a designated further education or higher education course before the age of 21. Category Weekly amount Comments Subsistence Fares Nil* Discounted Travel Card Young person will be claiming Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, training allowance or working. Young people who remain in a foster care placement post 18 are eligible to claim Department of Work and Pensions benefits as they are defined as Independent in their own right. Young people who remain in foster care placements may also be eligible to claim housing benefits up to the level of the local reference rent. This is dependent on the circumstances of the foster carers. Initial Benefit Claim* Leaving Care Service will provide up to 4 weeks Subsistence payments to assist young people whilst they wait for their initial benefit claim to be processed. Young people must sign the Agreement to Share Information Form so that social workers can liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions regarding the progress of their claim. If a young person has not complied with the requirements of the Department of Work and Pensions the Subsistence payment will be reduced or food parcels will be provided. Young people will be given financial assistance in form of Discounted Travel Card if they are in full-time education, training or employment. Additionally, the Student Card will assist with family contact, leisure & cultural needs. For young people placed outside of CBC, the Social Worker will purchase a Student Saver Card to ensure that receipts are available for auditing purposes. Birthday 19 th & 20 th birthday 21 st birthday. 21 st to 25 th birthday if still in education Christmas/Festivals Allowance Emergency payments/food vouchers at age 18 to 21 or up to 25 if still in education The birthday allowance will only be paid to young people who engage in regular face to face contact with CBC 16+ Team. Responsibility for the purchase of the gift/gifts rests with the personal advisor. Young people who do not celebrate Christmas will be given a choice as to when their festival allowance is to be provided. 10 CBC 16+ Team will in exceptional provide emergency payments/food vouchers. These payments will be dependent on an assessment of need and will not exceed per payment. Page 9

11 Category Amount Comments Course equipment & enrolment fees Accommodation Semi-Independent Key Documents Child Care Costs varies varies [one off payment] varies Young person will need to apply to the Learning Support Fund during the 1 st week of enrolment for course equipment if this is not practical then CBC 16+ team, will then provide equipment costs for education courses, depending on assessment of need. Otherwise an application to the college administrates will need to be made for financial assistance. If funding is refused proof will be needed from the college. CBC 16+ Team may then provide equipment costs for education courses, depending on assessment of need. Enrolment fees of up-to will be based on assessment paid subject to verification of course details Accommodation costs for young people over age of 18 will only be provided in exceptional circumstances. Post 18 placements i.e. semi-independent for exceptionally vulnerable young people may be funded in part or full following an assessment of need. Where young people are moving into private sector accommodation the landlord or agency must agree for the young person to claim housing benefit which should be paid direct to the landlord or agency who will then reimburse CBC 16+ Team. CBC 16+ Team will purchase a passport & 1 birth certificate for each young person if they don t already have one. CBC 16+ Team will meet part cost of the nationality and citizenship process, if the young person meets the application criteria. Lone parents, who wish to return to education, start a traineeship or take up employment opportunities, will be assisted to identify funds to cover or contribute to child-care costs. In the first instance, colleges, the Care to Learn Fund, E2E, Sure Start, the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and Department of Work and Pensions (benefits agency) must be approached as sources of potential child-care funding as lone parents are a priority group for their support. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, with all options having been explored without success, CBC 16+ Team may contribute towards the costs of child-care this would need to be agreed via CBC Resource Panel Page 10

12 Category Amount Comments Introduction to Driving Computer Grant License, 1 Theory Test, 5 Lessons & 1 Practical Test. Or a Motor Car & Motor Cycle/Scooter Available to 18, 19 & 20 year olds [if not already accessed] Up to 500 [one off payment] CBC 16+ Team will provide the funding for a provisional driving license, one theory test and the cost of 5 [1 hour] lessons to introduce young people to driving. This is available to young people aged 17, 18, 19 & 20 year olds and is conditional on the young person matching the cost of the 5 driving lessons provided by the 16+ Team. This will enable the young person to have 10 [10 hours total] trial lessons. This is an incentive and linked to relevant education, employment or training activity e.g. apprenticeship. Young should be encouraged to save the money as part of their independent skills training. Young people must pay the cost of the 5 lessons to their social worker, foster carer/keyworker who will then book the 10, one-hour lessons. In general, by paying for 10 lessons in a block, driving schools may provide extra lessons. Additionally, the 16+ Team will pay for one practical driving test. This is dependent on an approved driving school recommending that the young person is ready to take the test. Depending on an assessment of need the Introduction to Driving equivalent funding can be transferred to a Certificate in basic Training/Forklift Truck Driving course if it does not attract funding from elsewhere. Depending on an assessment of need young people entering full time Further Education and Higher Education will be provided with a one off Computer Grant of up to (young people may top-up this amount to purchase a higher specification machine). The course must be an academic course and require the use of a computer which will need confirmation by a the course tutor. Winter Heating Allowance 10 per month of 1st Winter of Independent Living total of 60. Young people living in independent accommodation who are responsible for, and pay variable utility and heating costs will be provided with a winter fuel allowance. The allowance is available for Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb & March of the first winter they are living independently, [unless its included in the overall placements costs]. This could be provided as two payments of 30 one in September and one in December. Following the first year of living independently this winter payment will be based on assessment of need up to the age of 21. Page 11

13 Category Amount Comments Disabled Students Allowance Setting Up Home Allowance varies 2000 [incl. removal & transport costs, cooker & washing machine connection] Original receipts should be retained for audit purposes, reclaiming VAT, how much has been spent & in case defective items need to be returned. Disabled Students' Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled students to study on an equal basis with other students. Full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances. The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income. Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don't have to be paid back. Disabled Students' Allowances can help with: Specialist equipment for studying - for example, computer software A non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or reader Extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability This is a discretionary payment and used only for Setting up Home Allowance. For TV license 1 st license will be paid for by the CBC 16+ Team & subsequent ones paid for by the young person. The setting up home allowance is available up to the age of 21 [24 where young people are attending a higher education course]. The setting up home allowance should always be used to purchase household items. At least 100 should be used to buy a health & safety pack [smoke detectors etc]. The allowance is payable when a young person has secured a council tenancy, in exceptional circumstances some goods may be purchased whilst a young person is in a semi-independent placement, the costs of goods will then be deducted from the total figure. One year s contents insurance This is provided in the first year of independent living age 18 plus ( 9000 cover) Setting up Home Starter Pack Coffee, tea, washing-up liquid, light bulbs, laundry & cleaning equipment utility key/card top-up etc. Items should be recorded on case notes and pathway plan so there is a clear record of what has been spend and what is available. Receipts should be scanned and uploaded onto system so there is a record and the young person should retain the original receipts. Page 12

14 Further Education [Non-advanced courses i.e. GCSE & A levels, BTEC etc.] From the age of 18 to 20, young people who are studying full time (12 hours or more of guided learning ) can claim Income Support and Housing Benefit on the grounds of being in Relevant Education. In order to qualify for Income Support on the grounds of Relevant Education up to the age of 20 the young person must commence an education course before his or her 19 th birthday. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, CBC 16+ Team may provide assistance for specific grants and one off payments to young people, who are studying, for items such as books and equipment, if funding from the Learning Support Fund has been refused. Where young people wish to commence a further education course after his or her 19 th birthday and before his or her 21 st birthday the funding will be considered following an assessment of need and of the motivation of the young person to undertake, sustain and complete the course. The provision of any allowance is dependent on an assessment of need, as well as young people maintaining satisfactory attendance and time keeping (90% attendance is required unless a young person has health related absence, which will require evidence). Where young people have reached the age of 21 and ceased to be supported by the CBC 16+ Team and subsequently wish to resume or commence education or training the following principles will apply: Young people should resume contact via 16+ Duty Officer Young people will be provided with support and services following an Assessment of Need The Assessment of Need will consider the young persons motivation for undertaking the chosen education/training activity and the commitment to the activity The Assessment of Need will consider what resources may be available to the young person and will assist in maximising universal provision, for example college bursaries and learner funds, welfare benefits and nursery vouchers and child care support CBC 16+ Team will consider making individual grants towards the chosen activity, which will range from paying enrolment and exam fees and making specific equipment and study grants of up to per year, any costs that exceed this amount will need to be presented to the Resource Panel. From the age of 19 young people who are undertaking courses of less than 16 hours of guided learning (part time) may be eligible to claim Housing Benefit if they have a low income. It is advisable to check with the Housing Benefit Department regarding the circumstances of individual young people. Certain limited groups of young people over the age of 20 such as lone parents and sick and disabled young people, who undertake further education courses, may remain eligible for welfare benefits. If a young person is entitled to welfare benefits (Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit/Child Tax Credits) he/she is not eligible for CBC s further education support as this is intended to replicate family and/or welfare benefit support. Care leavers are a priority group in terms of college Access Funds which are sometimes called Learner Support Funds. Many colleges also have bursaries and specific welfare grants which care leavers may be able to apply for. The students support service should be able to provide information on both the practical and financial support that may be available. Page 13

15 Higher Education [Advanced Course s i.e. Degree level] See Flow Chart for details on financial support offered to young people [Appendix F] Student Finance The level of fees, loans, grants, and bursaries for higher education student s change each academic year. The most accurate and up to date information is available via the following links: Student finance is made up of the following components: Tuition Fees and Tuition Fee Loans To qualify for a tuition fee loan the part time course needs to be at least 25% of an equivalent full-time course each year (e.g. four years instead of one year full time). The tuition fee loan is provided by Student Finance England and is paid directly to the university to cover the full cost of the course. Maintenance Loans The maintenance loan is provided by Student Finance England and is paid directly to the student, normally in three instalments and is provided to help with living costs such as rent, food, bills and equipment and books. In the final year of the course the maximum loan rate is reduced by approximately 10%. Maintenance Grant Care leavers and young people from a low income background are eligible for: Special Support Grant Single parents, certain disabled young people and students whose partner is also a student are not eligible for the maintenance grant, but instead are given a special support grant of: Loan Repayment Graduates repay the combined tuition fee and maintenance loan when they have finished studying and are earning over 21, per year. The monthly repayments are linked to the person s income and the interest charged is linked to the retail price index (RPI). After a certain amount of time (30 years), any outstanding loans will be written off, if the money has not been repaid. Support From Individual Universities In addition to the financial support provided by Student Finance England, most Higher Education Institutions will offer their own financial support. Each university will have its own eligibility criteria and any awards may only be available to a limited number of students: Bursaries Scholarships Fee Waivers Bursaries and Scholarships will generally not have to be repaid and Fee Waivers be are applied to part, or all of the course costs. Access To Learning Fund Most universities also have an Access to Learning Fund which is available to students who are experiencing financial hardship. Some universities offer care leavers priority access to Access to Learner Funds. Page 14

16 National Scholarship Programme (NSP) The National Scholarship Programme is designed to offer support to students from low income backgrounds. The NSP is funded jointly between the government and individual universities. Individual universities can make their own decisions as to who receives a National Scholarship. Some universities may offer care leavers priority access to the NSP. Support may be offered in a variety of ways including cash grants, reduced cost accommodation or a fee waiver. Any funds received from the NSP are non repayable. Grants and Awards From Charitable Trusts Trusts and charities provide financial grants and awards to students. Advice about what may be available is available through individual universities or through the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS). Central Bedfordshire 16+ Team Higher Education Support Central Bedfordshire 16+ Team will provide a per year Higher Education Grant to young people entering university and up to for books/equipment and travel (plus up to 500 Computer Grant). The Care Leavers Higher Education Bursary is provided by the student s local authority (CBC) and is provided as a minimum grant of throughout the length of the whole course and is paid equally over 8 terms and included in the amount above. The Higher Education Grant consists of three elements: A Living and Accommodation Grant 1 st September to 31 st August [includes vacation accommodation costs] Up to equipment/books grant (This grant is not transferable and will only be paid if the young person is not successful in securing funding from the University s Access to Hardship Funding). Up to Computer Grant (This grant is not transferable and only available following an assessment of need and the young person having previously not received the grant) Accommodation and Living Expenses The should be used for accommodation and living expenses throughout the academic and calendar year including vacation accommodation. As a general principle, and in order to assist young people with their first year at university, the 16+ Team will pay directly for three terms in university halls of residence and provide a summer allowance of (from the Grant). Where this principle needs to be adjusted and for subsequent years the Pathway Plan should set out all arrangements. The frequency and amount of each payment as well as the method of paying the allowance should be set out in the Pathway Plan. Corporate Parenting Services will provide financial assistance to foster carers to cover the cost of a young person s initial move to university. Part of the 16+ Team Higher Education Grant should be used to fund vacation accommodation and moving expenses to and from university. Books and Equipment Grant Young people will also be able to access an equipment/book grant of up to (This grant is not transferable and will only be paid if the young person is not successful in securing funding from the University s Access to Hardship Funding). Young people will need to submit a list of books, equipment ad receipts to their personal advisor. In general students undertaking practical courses such as Art, Design and Technology type courses would only require the maximum allowance. Page 15

17 Computer Grant Depending on an assessment of need young people entering full time Further Education and Higher Education will be provided with a one off Computer Grant of up to (young people may top-up this amount to purchase a higher specification machine). The course must be an academic course and require the use of a computer which will need confirmation by a the course tutor. Higher Education Payment Process All arrangements for paying, using and managing the Grant should be set out in the young persons Pathway Plan. As a general principle, and in order to assist young people with budgeting CBC will pay directly for accommodation costs (leaving care flat/halls of residence) during the academic year and summer vacation from the CBC Grant Component. Arrangements for paying the remaining amount should be set out in the Pathway Plan. Where young people attend courses and live away from the CBC area, all arrangements for managing the Grant should be set out in the Pathway Plan. The Plan should explore the possibility of paying directly for university halls of residence and/or providing a summer allowance at the end of the academic year, and the method, amount and frequency of any payment. Welfare Benefits The majority of young people who undertake higher education courses are ineligible for welfare benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. Certain limited groups of young people who undertake higher education courses such as lone parents and sick and disabled young people may remain/be eligible for welfare benefits while studying. Lone parents may be eligible for the Government s Childcare Grant and/or Parents Learning Allowance. Disabled students may be eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance. Additionally, lone parents and disabled students are eligible for the equivalent of the Student Maintenance Grant. Lone Parents and Sick and Disabled Students who are in receipt of Welfare Benefits should check with the Department of Work and Pensions regarding the rules about student loans. Being in receipt of a student loan may cause disqualification for welfare benefits. For UASC young people wishing to attend university details of their current immigration status and eligibility of student loan application will need to be confirmed prior to any agreement of funding from CBC 16+ Team (see Appendix D) Additional Funding and Information Care leavers are a priority group in terms of university and college Access Funds which are sometimes called Learner Support Funds. Many universities and colleges also have bursaries and specific welfare grants which care leavers may be able to apply for. The individual university or college should have information about these. The students support service should be able to provide information on both the practical and financial support that may be available. Page 16

18 Appendix A Eligible and Relevant Children who are detained Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 Section 23A (3) paragraph (2) Where a young person is detained in hospital or custody, the majority of their financial allowances will be suspended. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, young people will receive a pocket money allowance of up to 20 every six weeks, which is commensurate with the rules of the particular institution. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Birthday and Christmas allowances will continue to be paid and depending on the rules of the institution, may be given to the young person or retained until their release. On release young people will have access to their Setting Up Home Allowance and, where a young person has been detained for more than six months, and dependent on an assessment of need, a Miscellaneous Payment for clothing etc will be considered. The maximum clothing payment for 16 and 17 year olds who are being released from detention is linked to the Clothing Allowance of The Pathway Plan for young people who are detained should set out the provision of all financial allowances. Financial support for young people who are detained in Young Offenders Institutes is governed by the rules of the particular establishment they are detained in. In general, young people are expected to undertake education or training and are provided with pocket money for engaging in these activities. Additionally, they will often be provided with clothing, or are able to bring clothing with them. As such they will not be provided with any allowances while detained. Young people who are detained in hospital will be provided with pocket money commensurate with the fostering pocket money rate ( per week) and the standard leaving care clothing allowance. Former Relevant Children who are detained On release young people will have access to their Setting Up Home Allowance and if they are claiming Job Seekers Allowance, or Income Support, they can apply for a Social Fund Community Care Grant. Page 17

19 Appendix B Eligible and Relevant Children living at home with family Young people who return home as part of a planned reconciliation process and, are Eligible or Relevant Children will be given financial assistance that takes account of their family circumstances. In general, young people will be working, undertaking a traineeship, or a modern apprenticeship, or receiving an education maintenance allowance and/or, will be supported by their family who may also be receiving Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits and other welfare benefits. Where specific difficulties arise, and dependent on a assessment of need, young people may be provided with an allowance commensurate with the Job Seekers Allowance/Income Support Usual Rate for 16 and 17 year olds [ ]. In essence Eligible and Relevant young people living at home on a long-term basis should be supported by their family and do not receive leaving care financial support. The majority of Eligible young people are only eligible due to Section 31 Care Orders not being discharged. Financial support for this group of young people should come from education, training and employment opportunities as well as their families. Supporting this group of young people, as Standard Care Leavers is not appropriate as it creates disparities within families, particularly in relation to siblings who are not, or have not been looked after. Young people who return home on a short-term emergency basis will continue to receive the standard Eligible and Relevant young person entitlements. If a Relevant young person returns home and remains at home for 6 months their status under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 is changed to that of a Qualifying Child and Young Person over 16. If an Eligible young person is placed at home, or lives at home as part of a planned reconciliation process for six months or more and his or her Care Order is discharged, their status is changed to that of a Qualifying Child and Young Person over 16. If the young person becomes a Qualifying Child and Young Person over 16 and his or her situation at home breaks down prior to his or her eighteenth birthday they become a Relevant young person. If an Eligible young person is placed at home, or lives at home as part of a planned reconciliation process for six months or more and he or she reaches the age of eighteen he or she becomes a Qualifying Child and Young Person. The young person and their family must be informed of any changes in entitlements which may arise, should the young person s status change to that of a Qualifying Child and Young Person over 16. Page 18

20 Appendix C Qualifying Children and Young People over 16 Section 24 (advice and assistance) of the Children Act 1989 as amended by the Children (Leaving Care) Act Where appropriate, and depending on an assessment of need, Children and Families Social Care have a power to provide financial assistance to Qualifying Children and Young People over 16. Individual young people may be given financial assistance in exceptional circumstances (Children Act 1989 (Section 24A (5)) and Section 24B) with priority being given to support relating to education, training and employment opportunities. The presumption should be that such assistance should be provided where this is necessary to protect the young person s welfare and it cannot be made available by any other agency. The personal advisers will assist to maximise financial support available from the employment opportunities, the benefits and tax system, college and university access funds etc. Page 19

21 Appendix D Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Eligible & Relevant Children Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are covered by the Children Act 1989 and the new provisions introduced by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 in exactly the same way as other children in this country. However they will also have an immigration status: applying for asylum, accepted as a refugee, granted exceptional leave to remain [divided into a) Humanitarian Protection and b) Discretionary Leave], indefinite leave to remain or refused leave to remain which will need to be taken into account when undertaking their Assessment of Need and developing their subsequent Pathway Plan. Most Eligible and Relevant unaccompanied asylum-seeking children will receive the same entitlements as any other young person. However, there may be some differences in entitlement, which will need to be acknowledged in their Pathway Plan. For example Eligible and Relevant Children who are also lone parents can claim Income Support, lone parents who have an immigration decision pending and have no recourse to public funds cannot. In these situations Leaving & Aftercare will provide the same level of assistance. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who are applying for asylum and are awaiting an initial decision, or have been granted exceptional leave to remain are not entitled may not be entitled to the bursary replacing the Education Maintenance Allowance. When developing Pathway Plans with Eligible and Relevant (UASC) particular attention must be paid to their immigration status and contingency plans developed which take account of their possible status options at the of age eighteen. Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) who become Former Relevant Children Where young people have an immigration status that means they have permission to work and/or recourse to public funds they will be expected to be working or claiming benefits like other Former Relevant Children. Additionally, the CBC 16+ Team will apply all the aspects of the Former Relevant Children section of the leaving care financial policy with some exceptions to the Higher Education and Further Education sub-section. Where young people have limited leave to remain, exceptional leave to remain or are appealing an adverse decision they are eligible for a Leaving & Aftercare Higher Education Grant for higher education courses that finish in the academic year prior to their status expiring. In exceptional circumstances and dependent on an assessment of need the Leaving & Aftercare Team will provide a Higher Education Grant to unaccompanied asylum seeking young people if all of the following circumstances are met: They have been offered a higher education place The local education authority awards them a loan and/or grant They are classified as a home student. Where young people have exhausted all avenues regarding appealing an adverse asylum decision and/or are unable to extend exceptional leave to remain, and lose access to public funds and a right to work, (ARE) the 16+ Team social worker will carry out a Human Rights Assessment to determine further support An allowance (at this point the young person will usually receive a removal directions notice) can be paid until removal date or the young persons 21 st Birthday. This allowance can continue to be paid until the date of removal is reached. The Personal Adviser should, immediately being made Page 20

22 aware of this prospect, start to address with the young person issues relating to their removal. This should be detailed in the pathway plan. When undertaking the Assessment of Need with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children at age fifteen and, subsequently developing their Pathway Plans, social worker must take account of young people s immigration status and how this may limit access to public funds and services at age eighteen. Every effort must be made to clarify young people s immigration status as soon as possible in order to develop clear plans for their future e.g. ensure that extensions to Discretionary Leave and Humanitarian Protection are applied for within timescale i.e. six to eight weeks before expiry. Access to Public Funds and Welfare Benefits Young people must apply to extend their leave to remain at least two months before their immigration leave status expires. If this task is completed by a young person s eighteenth birthday and they have proof that the Home Office has received their application the young person is eligible to apply for benefits. Personal Advisers should obtain a letter from the young person s solicitor that includes details of the young person s immigration status; the date of the application to extend the leave to remain was submitted. The solicitor submits the renewal/extension by recorded post. The recorded post item will have a tracking number that can be used to verify that the Home Office received the application. The letter from the solicitor and a print out of the Post Office tracking statement should be submitted with the young person s benefit claim. Page 21

23 Appendix E Post Eighteen Placements Staying Put CBC 16+ Team recognise that there will be circumstances where young people will need to remain in their current foster placement once they turn 18. This section outlines the group of young people who have been assessed as needing a period of time to remain in their current foster placement beyond their 18 th birthday. From the age of 18, young people are no longer legally in care and therefore fostering arrangements no longer apply. However, placements where young people were looked after under fostering regulations up to their 18 th birthday may be able to transfer to the National Association of Adults Placement Scheme [NAAPS]. Young people who remain in placement after their 18 th regulations do so because they are: birthday and fit within the NAAPS Group1: Vulnerable Young people Where it is assessed that a young person (Former Relevant Child) is extremely vulnerable (emotional delay/issues of mental health/learning disability, that fall outside the remit of the Adults Division), receiving multi-agency input and unable to leave a Children and Families Social Care foster placement by the age of eighteen, the following principles should apply: - The Leaving Care Assessment of Need undertaken at prior to the young persons 16 th birthday should identify the timescale required for young people to move to independence. All changes in placement funding arrangements and placements that require funding beyond the young person s eighteenth birthday must be presented to the child care planning group. - The young person s Care/Pathway Plan must identify arrangements regarding the extension of the placement beyond the age of eighteen and/or arrangements for move-on accommodation and support. Plans should also include arrangements for transfer of case responsibility, placement responsibility and funding responsibility to Adult Services, if applicable. - Young person who has been accepted by Adults Services and is subject to transition planning can remain in foster placement once the placement has been assessed under CBC Adults Services Group2: Young people remaining in placement prior to undertaking a course of higher or residential further education. - Where a young person (Former Relevant Child) 18 th birthday has fallen early in the academic year and they are completing their A level course, or they have started a college course which will last until the following July or longer and will need the stability of their current placement to support them in completing the course, they will remain in their current supported lodging placement until they have completed their course. - If the young person decides not to attend university, or takes a gap year prior to the start of their degree course, and wishes to remain within the foster carer/s home, this will be deemed as a private arrangement. Page 22