 • You are an unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child (UASC) and your immigration status is unclear. • You are in or leaving custody or you have had contact with the criminal justice system; • You are a young parent; or • You are going through a difficult time in your personal life. Your right to be heard and taken seriously You have a right to be involved in all decisions about your plans for leaving care. You have a right to support from an independent advocate if you want to challenge decisions about the support we give you. 11 Independent advocates can inform you about your rights and help you to be heard in meetings. They are separate from Children’s Services. [Local authorities should set out how young people can access advocacy support]. You have a right to see the information we keep about you, including the files and records written about you when you were in care. Leaving care before turning 18 We will encourage you to stay in care until you are 18. Most young people still live at home with their families at this age. If you choose to leave care before age 18, the law says we must provide you with suitable accommodation. Support to engage in education, employment or training We want to make sure every young person leaving care has the support to achieve their goals in life. The law says we must provide you with assistance with expenses linked with employment, education and training. In particular: • We will provide you with a Higher Education (HE) bursary of at least £2,000 if you go to University. • We will provide somewhere for you to stay during University holidays (or funding for this if you would prefer to make your own arrangements) if you are in full time HE or full time residential further education and your term time accommodation is not available. Staying