nds until they reach the age of 21, or 25 where the young person is engaged in education or training. Where a young person has no parent to turn to for help, or where the parent does not have the capacity to provide assistance, it is to be expected that they will turn to the local authority for help. In these circumstances and following an assessment of need the local authority may provide support to the same level as that provided to other care leavers. 8.45. 8.45 Local authorities are encouraged to be pro-active in advising young people of the circumstances in which assistance can be provided and to take into account the fact that the reference to the provision of financial assistance in “exceptional circumstances” (section 24A(5)) refers to the individual young person rather than to the general policy of the authority. It will be for the authority to decide in each case whether the provision of financial assistance would be appropriate, but the presumption should be that such assistance should be provided where this is necessary to protect the young person’s welfare and it cannot be made available by any other agency. Local authorities are encouraged to be flexible in deciding what leaving care assistance can be given for and to consider a young person’s wishes about the way in which any assistance should be spent. 8.46. In addition to the general powers to provide assistance under section 24A(4), local authorities have a specific power to provide assistance to these care leavers where this is connected with the young person’s employment (section 24B(1), education, or training (section 24B(2). It should be noted that any such financial 84 assistance or grant provided under section 24B(2) where this is connected to a course of education or training may be given up to 