Wirral Leaving Care Team

Wirral's Leaving Care Team works with young people aged 16 to 24 who are in care. They also work with people who have been looked after by the local authority in the past.

The team works with young people to agree a needs assessment and Pathway Plan.

The needs assessment sets out the things that need to be sorted out before a young person is ready to leave care.

The Pathway Plan lists who does what to support a young person in preparation for leaving care. It helps the young person to make a success of their life once they leave care.

The decision on when a young person leaves care is crucial.

The values of the Leaving Care Team are based on the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. This makes it clear that you should leave care when you and the Leaving Care Team believe that you are ready.

The Government wants children and young people who move on from care to do it in a planned and supported way. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 has improved opportunities and support for young people leaving care.

The law will usually apply to you if you were in care on your 16th birthday. You will get help whether you stay in care until you are 18 or leave before you are 18.