What is Continuing Care?
Continuing Care enables a young person to remain in the placement they were in when they were looked after.
A person eligible for Continuing Care in Scotland is at least 16 years of age but under the age of 18.
Local authorities consider Continuing Care alongside all the options available to young people ceasing to be looked after.
Continuing Care should not be used as an alternative to remaining looked after if it is in the best interest of the young person. A young person who is currently looked after should remain so until the age of 18 years if that is in their best interest.
Who is eligible for Continuing Care?
Continuing Care is available to all eligible young people who were looked after in foster care, in formal kinship care and in residential care. This includes young people in foster care or residential education/care purchased by the local authority from independent and voluntary providers.
Children and young people who are “looked after at home” are not eligible for Continuing Care nor are young people whose last placement was in secure care, however these young people may go on to receive Aftercare support.
Children and young people who are in a placement by means of a kinship care order are not looked after and therefore not entitled to Continuing Care.
Pathways Assessment & Planning
Young people who cease to be looked after on or after their 16th birthday must be provided with a full assessment of need and a plan which stipulates how these needs are to be met.
East Dunbartonshire Council uses Pathways Assessment and Planning to achieve this. The areas covered through Pathways are:
- Lifestyle
- Family & Friends
- Health & Wellbeing
- Education/Training & Employment
- Accommodation Needs
- Financial Needs
- Rights & Legal Issues
To do this we will:
- Listen to you
- Acknowledge your views
- Provide emotional support
- Provide practical advice and assistance
- Work with you in defining your identity
- Work with other agencies
- Work to meet your needs
- Acknowledge your life experiences
- Encourage participation
- Advocate on your behalf when required
- Promote choice
We will also help you to:
- Live a healthy lifestyle
- Access leisure and recreational facilities
- Access education, training and employment
- Promote your safety
- Promote equality and recognise diversity
- Challenge discrimination
- Promote your rights and responsibilities