Perhaps you are a foster carer already or are considering becoming one, or maybe you are a young person taking your first steps to independence. Either way, preparing to leave foster care can sometimes be overwhelming. It is a big step to take, and many people wonder exactly when a young person will leave foster care in Wales. Many fostering agencies provide help, guidance, and support for those leaving care, helping young people to plan ahead and access support ahead of making a move towards independence.

At 16 or 17

A child in foster care is legally able to leave at the age of 16, should they wish to; however, they don’t have to. Leaving foster care at this age can come with challenges in terms of achieving independence, accessing housing, and making sure the right support is in place for a young person.

The local authority will work with the young person to create a pathway plan, setting out the steps ahead to prepare a young person for independence and leaving care. This helps with the transition and can set out several options for moving on.

At 18

When considering foster care Wales, it is worth remembering that the UK government bears a legal responsibility for ensuring a young person has somewhere to live and sufficient funds until they turn 18 years old. There will also be support in place for the young person: their designated social worker, their foster carers, and sometimes a personal advisor to help support the transition to independence at this age.

Beyond 18

A young person can remain living with their foster carers beyond the age of 18 in some cases if they are taking part in the Staying Put scheme, which is called When I Am Ready in Wales. This allows young people a little extra time to develop new skills and become independent. Young people taking part can stay living with their foster carers up to the age of 21, or even 25 if they are still in training or education.