1 The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations Volume 3: planning transition to adulthood for care leavers Publication date: October 2010 Implementation date: 1 April 2011 Revision dates: January 2015, January 2022, February 2025 2 Contents Preface 5 Status 5 Changes in the current version 6 Chapter 1: Introduction and summary 7 Context 8 The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 8 Principles for transition 9 Chapter 2: The legal framework 10 Definitions of categories of children entitled to care leaving support 10 Qualifying children 15 Special guardianship 16 Access to advocacy 17 Chapter 3: Pathway planning and personal advisers 18 Care planning and pathway plans 18 Relevant children and pathway plans 19 Personal advisers 23 Qualifications and skills 24 Functions 25 Budget holding 30 Training and supervision 30 Personal adviser to 25 30 Chapter 4: Care leavers aged 18-24 33 Introduction 33 Duties 33 Pathway plan for former relevant children 34 Reviews of pathway plans 35 Access to Records 36 Keeping in touch 41 Chapter 5: Education, training and employment 43 Planning for education, training and careers 43 Care leavers from overseas 45 3 Post graduate courses 45 Higher Education Bursary 45 Apprenticeships 45 Chapter 6: Care leavers who require additional specialist support 46 (a) Disabled young people making the transition to adult services 46 (b) Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) 50 (c) Care leavers in the youth justice system 52 Chapter 7: Planning and arranging suitable accommodation for the transition to independent living 57 Introduction 57 Strategic planning and partnerships 58 Commissioning housing and support services 59 Joint protocols 59 Suitable accommodation 60 Accommodation with former foster carers (‘staying put’ arrangements) 62 Supported lo