Moving on to Independence
Let’s take a closer look at the support you’ll receive from FCA Scotland as you prepare to leave care.
Preparing to leave care
You may be excited, nervous, or even a mixture of both as you start to make plans for your future and move closer to leaving care.
Becoming an independent adult is a huge step, but don’t worry – at FCA Scotland, we’re here to support you. From helping you gain key life skills and complete our AQA awards to supporting you to attend job fairs, we’ll make sure you’re ready for the next step. Let’s take a closer look at the support you’ll receive from FCA Scotland as you prepare to leave care.
Continuing care
FCA Scotland wants to support you to be ready to move onto independent living, at the time that is right for you.
As a young person in Scotland, you are able to remain with your foster families on a Continuing Care basis until you are 21, if this is assessed and agreed as the best option for you and your foster family. In some cases, depending on your needs, it may be possible to stay with your foster family up until the age of 26.
Support built around you
You won’t navigate the next chapter alone. You’ll receive support in every area of your life from a team that’ll help you walk confidently into adulthood. Who’s on this team?
- Local Authority Social Worker: They’ll complete your Pathway Plan or Welfare Assessment, considering your housing, health, education and financial needs, as well as your ambitions for the future. This should be completed before you turn 18 and then reviewed each year.
- Foster Carer: They’ll support you in building key skills for living independently, such as nutrition, budgeting, and managing a home. A Living Together Plan will also be completed with you and your foster carer to look at how your living arrangements will be managed after you turn 18.
- FCA Scotland Social Worker: They will continue to support you and your foster family, while also supporting you to access opportunities through FCA Scotland and your placing local authority.
- FCA Scotland Education and Support Co-ordinator: They’ll help you plan and stay on track for life after school, whether that be college, university, training, or employment.
- Children and Young People’s Support Team: Our Children and Young People’s Support Team will also help you find your way after leaving school. They can provide support with attending job fairs and help you prepare for interviews.
Financial assistance
Money may be on your mind as you begin thinking about living independently. The good news is that as a care leaver you’ll be entitled to various financial support, depending on your circumstances and what you choose to do next.
From a Care Leaver Payment and grants to help you start living independently, to a Care Leavers Bursary to support you while you’re studying, the Young Scot website details how you’ll be supported financially as you transition to adulthood.
You can also find lots of useful resources on the FCA Scotland care hub to help you manage your money and find your next job, so you’re ready to take on the world.
Even more opportunities at FCA Scotland
As a young person living in an FCA Scotland foster family, you also have access to opportunities that will stand out on your CV, alongside boosting your skills and confidence.
AQA Unit Award Scheme
The AQA Unit Award Scheme is open to all children and young people, offering a range of units to learn and complete. From life skills in cooking and money management to work-related learning, the scheme will motivate you to try new things, build self-confidence, and learn new skills that will help you when you leave care.
You’ll receive a certificate for every unit you complete, which recognises the work you’ve put in, while also giving you achievements to showcase on your CV and present to future employers.
If you’re interested in the AQA Awards Scheme, speak to your FCA Scotland social worker or Children and Young People’s Support Team for more information.
Become a Care Experienced Consultant
Another great opportunity we offer our care leavers, here at FCA Scotland, is the chance to become a Care Experienced Consultant.
This is an incredible opportunity to build relationships within FCA Scotland, whilst gaining first-hand experience in employment that will improve your career prospects. You’ll receive full training that will enable you to:
- Sit on interview panels
- Mentor other young people
- Support our participation events
- Contribute to foster carer training
- Contribute to our Fostering Panel and Foster Carer Review processes
Further resources
As well as the support you receive from the FCA Scotland team, here are some additional resources that can help you prepare for life after foster care:
- LifeSkills: A tool created by Barclays to help you discover your strengths, including your current skills, interests, and personality traits, before finding ways to help you develop them further.
- National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL): This charity provides resources and support to help you get the most out of your education and progress onto further and higher education.
- Who Cares? Scotland: As a young person in care, you can sign up for free membership to receive access to resources, advice, events, advocacy and a subscription to their magazine. You’ll also receive discounts on brands like Pure Gym, and they often advertise jobs on their website.
- Rees Foundation: This charity was founded to ensure all care leavers have a lifelong network of support, including providing grants and offering financial advice.
Contact Information
Looking for contact details? Our handy contact sheet will help you find the right support and people to talk to.
