Your finances
As your corporate parent, we want you to become a financially independent adult.
So, we offer a range of practical support and advice, and financial support to help you move successfully from care to living independently.
This section of the local offer for care leavers is about the financial support we'll give you.
General
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
Maintenance - if you live independently or in semi-independent accommodation | £57.90 per week |
Clothing - if you live independently or in semi-independent accommodation or are in custody | To be bought from your weekly allowance |
Emergency clothing - if you live independently or in semi-independent accommodation and are 16 to 20 years old This is assessed by your social worker or personal adviser, and the decision must be agreed by a manager |
Up to £75 per year |
Emergency allowance for safety or welfare concerns This is assessed by your social worker or personal adviser, and the decision must be agreed by a manager |
Depends on the assessment |
Birthday - if you live independently or in semi-independent accommodation |
16 to 21 year olds - £35 22 to 25 year olds: £10 voucher |
Christmas or another religious celebration allowance - if you live independently or in semi-independent accommodation |
16 and 17 year olds - £40 18 to 20 year olds - £25 |
Accommodation
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
Support for a deposit, bond and/or advanced rent payment if you're unable to secure social housing | Deposit and your first month's rent paid in advance |
Council Tax discretionary discount for care leavers aged between 18 and 25 |
If you live in Rutland, you'll be supported to complete an application form If you don't live in Rutland, we'll ask for an out of county care leaver exemption If our request is turned down, we'll pay your Council Tax until you're 21 Between the ages of 21 and 25, you'll be assessed for financial support towards your Council Tax |
Support with rent arrears (from one incident) - we'll assess your situation and may be able to support you financially | This is discretionary |
Leisure
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
A leisure pass to go to a local authority gym (or a gym agreed by the team manager) | Determined by the gym |
Funding to continue hobbies identified in your pathway plan | Up to £200 per year |
Education, employment and training
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
Childcare costs - if you're under 20 when your course starts, you may be to get help through Care to Learn Any other funding will be assessed by your social worker or personal adviser and needs to be agreed by a manager |
Up to £160 per week |
Buss pass if you're entitled to a 16-19 Bursary | Weekly bus pass amount |
Additional support if your apprenticeship leaves you financially worse off than you would be on benefits This is assessed by your social worker or personal adviser and needs to be agreed by a manager |
Discretionary |
Higher education and university
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
Accommodation | Full rent costs |
Bursary - paid in instalments throughout your course | £2,000 split over the number of years your degree course lasts |
Laptop and printer - if you're living independently or in semi-independent accommodation | Provided by us, up to the cost of £400 |
Health
Allowances | Amount |
---|---|
Support for specialist health needs or disabilities that cannot be met by universal health services | Discretionary |
If you need financial support for emotional wellbeing services, due to long NHS waiting lists | Discretionary |
Identification and driving
Allowance | Amount |
---|---|
Passport | £85 |
Driving Licence | £34 |
Deed poll certificates | £33 |
Driving lessons (if needed for education, training or employment reasons) | 10 hours or lessons, but you must also pay for another 10 hours of lessons yourself |
Theory test (if needed for education, training or employment reasons) | £23 |
Driving test (if needed for education, training or employment reasons) | £62 |