What practical skills should young people develop before leaving care?

Before leaving care, young people should develop more than household skills: they need the ability to manage a tenancy, understand their rights, organise important documents, look after their health, use digital services safely and make informed choices about relationships and support. These skills should be built gradually, based on the young person’s pathway plan, abilities, circumstances and future goals.

Housing and tenancy skills are essential for maintaining a safe and stable home. A young person should learn how to:

• Read and understand a tenancy agreement, including responsibilities for rent, repairs and looking after the property.
• Report maintenance problems and distinguish between routine repairs and urgent hazards.
• Understand household bills, deposits, council tax arrangements and the consequences of rent arrears.
• Keep a record of important contacts, payments, repairs and correspondence.
• Respect neighbours, manage visitors appropriately and understand rules relating to noise, safety and communal areas.
• Recognise signs that accommodation may be unsuitable or unsafe and know who to contact for advice.

Young people should also practise managing official paperwork and personal records . This can include keeping identification, birth certificates, National Insurance details, education or employment records, medical information and benefit correspondence in a secure place. They should understand why passwords, bank details and identity documents must not be shared casually, and how to update an address when moving home.

Digital skills affect many parts of adult life. Useful abilities include creating secure passwords, recognising scams, checking whether an online message is genuine, completing forms, using online banking safely and storing digital copies of important documents. Young people should know how to adjust privacy settings and where to report fraud, harassment or unwanted contact.

Managing health independently involves more than attending appointments. A young person may need to register with a GP, dentist and other relevant services, understand how prescriptions are obtained, keep a record of medication and recognise when professional advice is needed. They should be able to describe their health needs, consent to treatment and understand who can access their information. Emotional wellbeing should be included in these discussions, with a clear plan for what to do if stress, anxiety or other difficulties begin to affect daily life.

Understanding money beyond day-to-day spending is also important. Young people can learn to compare contracts, identify essential and non-essential commitments, check payslips or benefit letters and question unexpected charges. They should understand the risks of high-cost borrowing, gambling and sharing financial details with other people. Practising how to challenge an incorrect bill or ask for help with debt can be more useful than simply being given general financial advice.

Independent living also requires planning and organisation . This might involve using a calendar, setting reminders, prioritising tasks and breaking large jobs into manageable steps. A weekly plan can include study, work, rest, personal commitments and household responsibilities. The aim is not perfection; it is learning how to notice a problem early and take sensible action before it becomes more difficult.

Relationship and boundary skills help young people stay safe and make healthy choices. They should be able to recognise respectful behaviour, communicate consent, say no, manage disagreements and understand that support does not require accepting controlling or abusive treatment. This includes learning how to handle contact with family members, friends, partners and former carers in a way that protects their wellbeing and independence.

Young people should be encouraged to develop self-advocacy . This means knowing what questions to ask, expressing preferences, taking part in meetings and challenging decisions respectfully when something does not seem right. They should know the role of their Personal Adviser and leaving care team, understand what their pathway plan covers and keep copies of agreed actions. Independent advocacy or advice may be appropriate where a young person finds it difficult to express their views or feels their needs are not being recognised.

Practical preparation works best when it is active and gradual. A foster carer or other trusted adult might first demonstrate a task, then complete it alongside the young person, and finally allow them to take responsibility while remaining available for guidance. Reviewing what went well and what needs more practice helps the plan remain realistic.

Before the move, it is sensible to check that the young person knows:

• where they will live and who to contact about housing concerns;
• how essential costs will be managed and what financial arrangements apply to them;
• which health, education, employment and personal support contacts they can use;
• where important documents and emergency information are kept;
• what to do if they lose a key, miss a payment, receive threatening contact or feel unsafe;
• how to review their pathway plan and request further support when their circumstances change.

Leaving care should therefore be treated as a planned transition rather than a single event. Skills can continue developing after the move, and needing guidance does not mean a young person is failing. Foster carers, social workers, Personal Advisers and other professionals should agree who will help with each area, record the plan clearly and make sure the young person understands how to access that support.