What happens when a teenager leaves foster care?

Leaving foster care is a gradual process rather than a single event. In England, a young person’s care arrangements and formal support change as they approach adulthood, but the local authority should help them prepare, understand their rights and manage the practical responsibilities that follow.

Support is normally coordinated by a personal adviser. This worker can help the young person put agreed plans into practice, communicate with housing providers, education services and other agencies, and review whether the support remains suitable. The young person should know who their personal adviser is, how to contact them and what to do if their circumstances change.

The exact arrangements depend on the young person’s legal status, age, needs and wishes. A young person may:

• continue in their current placement for longer;
• move to accommodation with support, such as a foyer or supported housing;
• move into a tenancy or other independent accommodation;
• live with family, a partner or another trusted adult; or
• need a different placement if their current arrangement is no longer safe or suitable.

These options should be discussed with the young person, not decided without them. If a proposed move breaks down, they become homeless or their needs increase, the local authority should reassess the plan. A move towards independence does not remove the need for safeguarding, practical help or a stable relationship with trusted adults.

Leaving care usually brings new practical responsibilities. The young person may need support to:

• apply for and maintain accommodation;
• understand a tenancy, bills, deposits and household safety;
• claim the benefits or financial assistance for which they are eligible;
• manage money, food shopping, cooking and appointments;
• enrol in education, training or employment;
• register with health services and attend appointments; and
• replace important documents, such as identification or proof of entitlement.

Financial help can include assistance with essential items for a new home, travel, education, training or other agreed needs. The type and amount of support depends on the young person’s circumstances and local authority policy, so it is important to ask for the arrangements to be confirmed in writing before a move takes place.

Care leavers may remain entitled to assistance after turning 18. In England, support can continue into the early twenties, and further help may be available to a young person who remains in, or returns to, education or training. A personal adviser can explain the relevant entitlements, including help with applications and education-related costs. A young person who feels their support has been reduced or stopped unfairly can ask for the decision to be reviewed and seek independent advocacy.

The relationship with a foster carer may continue, but its nature can change. Some young people keep regular contact, receive practical guidance or spend time with their former foster family. Others need more distance while establishing their independence. Any ongoing contact should reflect the young person’s wishes, safety and privacy. Foster carers should avoid creating uncertainty about whether the young person can rely on support; agreeing clear expectations about contact, visits, belongings and emergencies can help both sides.

Preparation should begin well before the move. Useful steps include visiting possible accommodation, practising everyday tasks, checking who will hold spare keys and important documents, recording emergency contacts, and discussing what will happen if the first arrangement does not work. The young person should also understand how to raise concerns about housing, finances, education, health or personal safety.

For a foster carer, the end of a placement can therefore involve both practical preparation and careful communication. The young person should be treated as an active participant in decisions, with enough information and time to express preferences. A planned move, reliable follow-up and a clear route back to help can make the change more manageable while allowing the young person to build independence at their own pace.