Introduction and principles
It is vital that young people are aware of their entitlements, it is also important that they are clear about how the local authority will provide any financial support. Care leavers are not a homogenous group, and the way financial support is provided should reflect their diversity of need, their individual ability and the circumstances of individual young people.
Managing money is a fact of life, and it is our parental responsibility to ensure young people understand its value, and deal with the challenges and frustrations that come with managing money, often on a limited income.
This document’s guiding principle is to define for the children in care teams and leaving care services what our offer is to our young people, and how we can offer the very best support to help them grow to independence.
It is expected that the leaving care service and the local authority will spend money wisely and use entitlements and funds to maximise the outcomes for our care leavers from the age of 16.
The overarching principle is that services will support young people as best they can to become independent and to not become reliant on direct financial support from the local authority.
Whilst we ensure that support is there, the approach cannot be one of blanket funding, the offer to each young person should be proportionate, planned, well justified and recorded in their pathway plan. It is also essential that professionals support young people, where possible, to save money for their education and their adult life, and it is an expectation in Lincolnshire that that all children in care will have a savings account soon after their 16th birthday.
This document outlines the financial protocols of Lincolnshire County Council’s leaving care service.
The service is delivered by Barnardo’s on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.
The young people referred to in this document are those young people who are eligible, relevant, former relevant and qualifying young people under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010. The information contained within the document is important for all young people who are moving from foster or residential placement and those in staying put placements.
This brief document should be used in conjunction with the up-to-date leaving care offer.
The payment rates are current for the year April 2022 to March 2023.