Guidance on financial support for Young People involved with Liverpool Leaving Care Service ONE

Guidance on financial support for Young People involved with Liverpool Leaving Care Service ONE

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. Liverpool Leaving Care Service will review this financial guidance before the end of every financial year in consultation with the young people who will the beneficiaries of the proposed financial support

PRINCIPLES BEHIND FINANCIAL SUPPORT Liverpool City Council Children s Service is convinced that each young person leaving its care has tremendous potential. We also recognise that they may experience many different forms of disadvantage - not least the fact that care leavers in general have often been expected to take on adult responsibilities much earlier than their peers. Liverpool is committed to providing financial and practical support to enable our young people to tackle the challenges they might face and obtain the best start in life possible. Our approach is based on high aspirations and enabling young people to take on increasing (and appropriate) levels of responsibility. This guidance sets out the financial arrangement put in-place to support them as they make the journey into adulthood. Leaving Care Personal Advisers who are tasked with securing financial support for young people must assess their needs with the following principles in mind Finances available should be adequate to meet young people s needs and enable them to actively participate in society. Broadly speaking financial support should be at a level that good parents, with finite resources and a desire to encourage prudent behaviour, would give to their children at this age Young people should be enabled to take increasing levels of financial responsibility in the context of ongoing assessment and support. Practices should actively discourage the creation of a culture of dependency. Whist maximising independence the Leaving Care Personal Adviser has a responsibility as a corporate parent to ensure that monies are used appropriately and are spent on the items they are provided for. Payment may therefore be made in a variety of ways according to individual need. Continued abuse of monies could ultimately lead to aspects of financial support being withdrawn.

Financial support for Eligible and Relevant Children who are in semi-independent and independent placements and not in residential or foster care placements NB Young people under the age of 18 living in foster care or residential care will receive appropriate age related allowances and will therefore not qualify for financial support from Liverpool Leaving Care Service Basis and Amount Accommodation Deposit and rent in advance. Education and Training. Conditions and Comments Placement and 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. The Personal Adviser must establish that the rent charged will be covered by Housing Benefit when the young person becomes liable for payment of rent at the age of 18. Accommodation should not be approved where there will be a benefit payment short fall. Where young people are moving into private accommodation a deposit and rent in advance will be provided if the rent level falls within the Local Housing Benefit Reference Rent. The deposit and rent in advance will be paid from the young person s Setting Up Home Allowance The deposit and rent in advance thereafter belongs to the young person and should be used by young people to pay for any subsequent accommodation. Young people should be encouraged and assisted to pursue accommodation with Registered Social Landlords where deposits are not required thus allowing young people to spend more Setting Up Home Allowance on items for their accommodation Young people who are undertaking full time education courses or unpaid training courses will receive the Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance. Additionally, young people who are undertaking full time education Budget Code

courses or unpaid training courses (12 hours study/training and contact time) are eligible for a Further Education Bursary from their college. Young people who receive a Further Education Bursary will not receive a Children s Services incentive payment as the bursary usually provides a 30 per week incentive for young people attending college/sixth form or undertaking a training course. Children s Services will provide equipment and travel costs for education or training courses of the young person s choice, depending on an assessment of need. Where appropriate, Children s Services will consider funding extra tuition and travel related expenses. Travel expenses will be provided depending on an assessment of need and attendance at the nearest college providing the particular course. Funding may be provided for subsequent education or training courses and/or for changed courses depending on an assessment of need and the young person demonstrating a commitment to continuing education or training and consistent attendance. A travel pass may be available from the education or training provider. See incentives and contributions sections. Paid Training Young people who are undertaking a paid traineeship or modern apprenticeship will not receive the Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance but will be supported using incentive top up. 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 Children s Services. Children s Services will provide equipment for the traineeship/course of the young person s choice and may provide this for subsequent courses depending on an assessment. For the second and any subsequent training course equipment grant, the young person will need to demonstrate commitment and consistent attendance. A travel pass may be provided by the training organisation. Young people undertaking paid training or a modern apprenticeship will receive an incentive top-up of up to 30.00 per week to ensure a minimum allowance of 80.00. See incentives and contributions sections. Employment Young people who are working or undertaking voluntary work will continue to receive the Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance until their wage reaches a given threshold. Children s Services 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, Children s Services may assist with the cost of travel to interviews where attendance at an interview is demonstrated.

Incentive Payments Further Education Bursary Young people who are undertaking full time education courses or unpaid training courses will receive the Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance. Additionally, young people who are undertaking full time education courses or unpaid training courses (12 hours study/training and contact time) are eligible for a Further Education Bursary. Young people undertaking paid training or a modern apprenticeship will receive an incentive top-up of up to 30.00 per week to ensure a minimum allowance of 80.00. Clothing 50.00 per quarter Birthday Allowances 17 th birthday 18 th Birthday 50.00 per quarter clothing allowance plus 50.00 for work/college clothes paid on the 30 th September, via the personal adviser. The 50.00 work/college clothing allowance is paid to young people who are under the age of 18 on the 30 th September. In situations where a young person is 18 on or after the 1 st October they can receive this allowance if they are in full time education or training and living independently. 17th birthday allowance is 25 18th birthday allowance is 100 plus a 100 celebration allowance Identifying what the celebration allowance will be used for will be the responsibility of the personal adviser. and the young person and should be agreed at the 17 years and 9 th months pathway plan review The celebration allowance will not be paid to young people residing with a parent/parents although they will still receive the birthday allowance Christmas/ Festivals Allowances Family Contact Costs Contact with Significant Others Social Activities and Leisure The Christmas/festival allowance is 40 Young people who are non-christians will be given a choice as to when their festival allowance is to be provided. If they do not have a preference, the allowance should be made available at Christmas to ensure that they receive their entitlement. Additionally, they should also be offered the choice of having a proportion of their allowance at their festival of choice and a proportion at Christmas. Where young people have family members who live outside of the Liverpool area (more than a short bus/train journey), telephone and travel costs may be provided following an assessment of need. Travel costs may be provided via travel warrants. All arrangements should be set out in young people s Pathway Plans. Where young people have significant contacts that live outside of the Liverpool area, telephone and travel costs may be provided following an assessment of need. Travel costs may be provided via travel warrants. All arrangements should be set out in young people s Pathway Plans. Children s Services will assist young people to obtain a local council Passport to Leisure. Young people should be encouraged and assisted to explore the leisure facilities that accept the Council Leisure Pass.

Ensure all Young People have a local council Passport to Leisure. Key Documents Financial assistance provided to pursue hobbies, leisure interests and social activities 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. Children s Services will purchase a passport and 1 birth certificate for each young person. Introduction to Driving Counselling and Therapeutic Needs Health Cultural Needs Religious Needs Child Care Costs Sure Start Maternity Grant Children s Services may provide the funding for a provisional driving licence and may assist with part contribution towards driving lessons where this is clearly linked to young people s future employment aspirations Children s Services will assist young people to access counselling and/or therapeutic services via the looked after children health provision and universal health services. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services will provide funding for counselling and/or therapeutic services. Children s Services will assist young people to access services to meet their health and developmental needs via the looked after children health provision and universal health services. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services may provide funds to secure additional health services. Young People s workers should ensure all young people complete relevant form that enables access to free NHS prescriptions etc. Children s Services will assist young people to access services aimed at meeting their cultural needs. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services will fund services aimed at meeting identified needs i.e. skin and hair care, dietary requirements. Children s Services will assist young people to access services aimed at meeting their religious needs. Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services will fund services aimed at meeting identified religious needs. 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. Only in exceptional circumstances will Children s Services provide a top-up contribution to child care costs. Children s Services do not provide maternity grants but the personal advisers will assist young people who are parents to maximise their income from all available sources such as benefits, Sure Start etc. Eligible and Relevant young people are entitled to claim Income Support from 11 weeks before the baby due date. Submitting a claim for Income Support is a pre-requisite for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

Special Needs Costs Children s Services will assist young people to access services to meet their special needs and depending on the outcome, may assist in providing resources to address the identified need. Emergency Payments Children s Services will provide a maximum of three cash payments in any three month period. These payments will be dependent on an assessment of need and will not exceed 20.00 per payment. Where a young person requests a third emergency payment due to difficulties of budgeting, the personal adviser will explore with the young person how their 55.00 weekly subsistence is provided and a decision made about split payments Where a young person requests more than three emergency cash payments in any three month period a food voucher and utilities payment not exceeding 20.00 is all that can be considered Emergency payments and food parcels are discretionary and will only be provided following an assessment of need. In situations where young people make regular requests for emergency payments their Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance will be provided as split payments General Miscellaneous Needs Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services may provide funds for specific grants and one off payments. For example a 75 payments for a commemorative tribute and or funeral clothes following the death of a close relative or carer

SECTION 2 Former Relevant Children 1 Young People age 18 to 21, or to 25 if they commenced a designated further education or higher education course before the age of 21. Basis and Amount Accommodation Deposit and Rent in Advance. Conditions and Comments Accommodation costs for young people over age 18 will only be provided in line with the staying put agenda or exceptional circumstances. Post 18 placements for vulnerable young people may be funded in part or full following an assessment of need and the case being considered by the Leaving Care Panel. Prior to young people moving into private semi-independent or independent accommodation personal advisers must ensure that a pre-tenancy determination is undertaken. This will ensure that the local Housing Benefit Office undertakes an assessment of the rent level charged for the property. The assessment will highlight whether the rent charged will be covered by Housing Benefit when the young person becomes liable for payment of rent at the age of 18. Accommodation should not be approved where there will be a benefit payment short fall. Any requirement to provide a deposit and rent in advance must be clarified prior to the tenancy agreement being authorised. Payments for accommodation should fall within the Local Housing Benefit Reference Rent. Young people leaving care are exempt from the Single Room Rent Restriction up to the age of 22. Where young people are moving into private accommodation a deposit and rent in advance will be provided if the rent level falls within the Local Housing Benefit Reference Rent. Budget Code Initial Benefit Claim Children s Services will provide three weeks Leaving Care Subsistence Allowance to assist young people whilst they wait for their initial benefit claim to be processed. Further Education From the age of 18 to their 21st birthday, care leavers who are estranged from their families and 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. Prior to starting education courses at the age of eighteen or above, young people will be encouraged to explore New Deal opportunities which may provide benefits for those studying approved courses. At the age of 20, young people who are undertaking courses of less than 16 hours of guided learning (part time) are eligible to claim Housing Benefit if they have a low income.

The majority of young people over the age of twenty one who undertake full time further education courses are ineligible for welfare benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. Certain limited groups of young people over the age of twenty one 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) then the Personal Adviser will assist in helping the young person claim for these benefits Young people may ask for an assessment of need and possible continuing support if they are continuing, or returning to education after the age of 21 Higher Education 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 Aim Higher student finance publication; A Guide to Financial Support for Higher Education Students. http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/student_finance/index.cfm Local Education Authority and University Support Tuition Fees and Tuition Fee Loans Full-time undergraduate students will have to pay fees to cover their tuition costs. Students do not have to pay these Fees before they commence their university course, or whilst they are studying but they will need to apply for a Student Loan for Fees to cover these costs. The Fees will be paid direct to the university or college, on their behalf. Students will repay these Loans once they have left university and are earning over 21,000.00. Student Maintenance Loans Student Maintenance Loans to help with living costs and equipment/books etc are available from the Student Loans Company. They attract a very low rate of interest, at inflation levels. The amount students can borrow is higher if they are studying in London. The Loan is repayable once students leave their course and start earning more than 21,000.00 a year. Deductions are usually made through the Pay As You Earn tax system by employers in the same manner as Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. Repayments are linked to earnings, so the more ex-students earn the more they repay; the less they earn the less they repay. Student Maintenance Grant Care leavers and young people from a low income background are eligible for Maintenance Grant Special Support Grant Lone Parents and Disabled young people are not eligible for the Student Maintenance Grant, but instead are given a Special Support Grant Additionally, 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. Liverpool Children s Services Financial Support All young people entering higher education will be provided with a: 75.00 per week Higher Education Accommodation and Living Expenses Grant.

The Higher Education Accommodation and Living Expenses Grant should be used for accommodation and living expenses throughout the academic and calendar year. The Grant should be used by young people to pay towards accommodation cost and includes an element for vacation accommodation. Care Leaver s Higher Education Bursary Additionally young people who qualify will receive the Higher Education Bursary for care leavers of 2,000 This in certain circumstance can be an one off payment or split payments throughout the undergraduate years taking into account the wishes and needs of the young persons In the main Liverpool Children s services will encourage young people to split this bursary into four instalments to be paid at the start of the three undergraduate years with the final payment just before the young persons finals so that financial concerns should be less of an issue at this potentially pressurised time. However if the young person wishes a variation on proposed arrangements that they feel would be of academic benefit to them then this can be negotiated with their leaving care Personal Adviser and the relevant Leaving Care Team Leader Payment Process The frequency of each payment as well as the method of paying the allowance and the Higher education bursary should be set out in the young person s Pathway Plan. 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. If a young person is entitled to welfare benefits (Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit/Child Tax Credits) they will be factored into the Higher Education Grant computation. Lone Parents will be required to apply for the Student Maintenance Loan by the Department of Work and Pensions. If a Loan Parent is awarded the Student Maintenance Loan this will be counted as income and will reduce the level of Income Support. Lone Parents and Disabled Students do not qualify for the Student Maintenance Grant; however they receive the Special Support Grant. Higher Education Continued Additional Education Funding and Sources of 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 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. Information about the range of financial help available to students is covered by the following website http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/home/index.cfm

Post Graduate Courses Children s Services will assist young people to identify financial support and resources to undertake post graduate courses. Generally, vocational post graduate courses are funded by secondment from an employer, or by individual universities providing a bursary to cover course/tuition fees. Children s Services may consider a contribution to post graduate courses by reducing payments at undergraduate level following a needs assessment and all other avenues of funding being explored. Christmas/ Festivals The Christmas/Festive allowance is only available to young people living in independent or semi independent settings Young people who are non-christians will be given a choice as to when their festival allowance is to be provided. If they do not have a preference, the allowance should be made available at Christmas to ensure that they receive their entitlement. Additionally, they should also be offered the choice of having a proportion of their allowance at their festival of choice and a proportion at Christmas. From the age of 18, whether the money is given to the young person or used by the personal adviser to purchase a present should be decided within the Pathway Plan. The Christmas/festival allowance will only be paid to young people who remain in contact with the Leaving Care Team. Key Documents Introduction to Driving Children s Services will purchase a passport, 1 birth certificate for each young person. Children s Services will provide the funding for a provisional driving licence and may assist with part contribution towards driving lessons where this is clearly linked to young people s future employment aspirations Child Care Costs 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 childcare costs. The New Deal and Benefits Agency, colleges, the Care to Learn Fund, the Learning Gateway, Sure Start and the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy should be approached as sources of potential child care funding, as lone parents are a priority group for their support. Only in exceptional circumstances will Children s Services provide a top-up contribution to child care costs. Special Needs Costs Children s Services will assist young people to access services to meet their special needs and depending on the outcome, may assist in providing resources to address their identified need. I

Emergency Payments Children s Services will provide a maximum of three cash payments in any three month period. These payments will be dependent on an assessment of need and will not exceed 20.00 per payment Where a young person requests more than three emergency cash payments in any three month period a food parcels and utilities payment not exceeding 20.00 is all that can be considered Emergency payments and food vouchers are discretionary and will only be provided following an assessment of need. Young people should liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions and apply for a hardship payment. General Needs Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Children s Services may provide funds for specific grants and one off payments. For example a 75 payments for a commemorative tribute and or funeral clothes following the death of a close relative or carer Section 3 Eligible, Relevant and Former Relevant Children Aged 16 to 21, or 25 Setting Up Home Allowance

1200 plus additional one off payments listed below (Please note that the Setting up Home Allowance will rise to 2.000 in October 2014 and additional one offs required will be met from that allowance Additional one off payments available to young people moving into independent /semi independent settings To be spent on items for equipping accommodation. This allowance will be spent in stages; initially on semi-independent setting needs and subsequently, on independent accommodation needs. The allowance will always be spent collaboratively between the personal adviser and young person. Original receipts should be retained by the personal adviser for audit purposes and in case defective items need to be returned. Removal and transport costs. Cooker and washing machine connection cost. TV licence. (First licence paid for by Children s Services and subsequent ones paid for by young person). The Setting Up Home Allowance is available up to the age of 21 (25 where young people are attending residential further education or higher education courses). The Setting Up Home Allowance should always be used to purchase household items. In situations where part, or all of the Setting Up Home Allowance is unused by the age of 21 or 25 a list of requirements should be included in the final Pathway Plan. The Pathway Plan should also set out a time scale for obtaining the items. The entitlement to the Setting Up Home Allowance extends to the age of 21 or 25. Young people who are detained beyond the age of 21 are eligible to apply for a Community Care Grant on their release. An additional Setting up Allowance up to a maximum of 500 may be available in certain circumstances at the discretion of the Leaving Care Team Leader This allowance will be prioritised for young people who have moved between independent settings or who used some or their setting up home allowance towards a deposit for private rented accommodation The majority of the financial support for young people beyond their 18 th Birthday will be linked to ensuring that that they are in suitable accommodation and engaged in employment. education or training For that reason young people may receive incentive payments up to and beyond their 19 th birthday for engaging in education or training courses These incentive payments will be to a maximum of 30 per week and will be considered on individual merits and factors including other potentials sources of funding and young people s potential to complete their chosen course or training programme Young people living independently engaged in low paid employment may also receive a low paid employment incentive up to a maximum of 30 per week

Employment,education and training incentives

Appendix 1 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. 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 generally only be provided with a 10 postal order for toiletries etc on a weekly basis. In exceptional situations where education, training or work opportunities are not available and no pocket money or remuneration scheme exists, young people will be provided with a clothing allowance up to a maximum of 50.00 in any six month period Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Birthday allowances will continue to be paid and depending on the rules of the institution, will be given to the young person or retained until their release. On release young people may 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 100 and will be linked to a demonstration of commitment to engage with the Connexions and Leaving Care Services The Pathway Plan for young people who are detained should set out the provision of all financial allowances. Former Relevant Children who are detained Where appropriate, and dependent on an assessment of need, Birthday allowances will continue to be paid and, depending on the rules of the institution, will be given to the young person or retained until their release. 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 generally only be provided with a 10 postal order for toiletries etc on a monthly basis. On release young people may 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 and Crisis Loan.

Appendix 2 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 Where it is deemed necessary to provide an allowance to a family member or other individual to maintain a young person the rates provided should be based on Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. For example, an allowance to a family member would equate to the child rate of Child Tax Credits. These allowances should only be provided in exceptional circumstances and should replace the leaving care allowances. Agreement to provide these allowances should come from the Leaving Care Panel In essence Eligible and Relevant young people living at home on a long term basis should be supported by their family and should 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 Section 20 Eligible young person returns home and ceases to be looked after he/she becomes a Relevant young person. If he/she remains at home for 6 months his/her status under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 is changed to that of a Qualifying Child and 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 his or her Care Order is discharged, their status is changed to that of a Qualifying Child and Young Person. If the young person becomes a Qualifying Child and Young Person and his or her situation at home breaks down prior to his or her eighteenth birthday they become a relevant young person. Appendix D Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Eligible and 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 Leaving Care 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 Children s Services 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 to 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, Children s Services 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 Children s Services Higher Education Grant for higher education courses that finish in the academic year prior to their status expiring. Children s Services will provide a Higher Education Grant to unaccompanied asylum seeking young people if all of the following circumstances are met: a) they have been offered a higher education place b) the local education authority awards them a loan and/or grant c) they are classified as a home student. Young people who have lived in the United Kingdom for more than 3 years are usually treated as Home Students and will not have to pay overseas student fees if they attend higher education course. Children s Services will work with education establishments and training providers to ensure that young people who have limited leave to remain have access to purposeful activities such as short education courses, training opportunities and courses and voluntary activities. 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, The Leaving Care Service will then refer the young person to the Nass Service When undertaking the Leaving Care Assessment of Need with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children at age sixteen and, subsequently developing their Pathway Plans, personal advisers 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. Pathway Plans should explore how an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child s immigration status may limit future support and financial opportunities. Pathway Plans for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children should always incorporate a dual plan approach. For example, Pathway Plans should highlight what support would be given if the young person gains indefinite leave to remain, and an alternative Plan should highlight what support would be available should they be granted limited leave to remain and receive removal directions.