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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Support for care leavers

​​​Becoming a Care Leaver

You’re considered a Care Leaver and eligible for support if:

  • you're aged 18 to 25
  • you were looked after by the Minister for Children at age 16 or older

The support is available to all eligible care leavers aged 16 to 25, who are engaged with services and their personal advisor. It’s separate from the Children in Care entitlements.

If you have any questions, or if you need this information in a different language, you can contact the Leaving Care Team by:

Your Personal Advisor (PA) and pathway plan

A PA is someone who works with you as you leave care. They will provide advice and guidance with things like housing, education and work. 

You’ll be introduced to your PA around the age of 14. They will support you alongside your social worker.

Your social worker stays with you until you turn 18, at which point your PA becomes your main key worker to support you and coordinate services.

Support from your PA continues until at least age 25, though after you turn 21, it’s your choice whether to keep receiving it.

Your PA will:

  • help you plan for adulthood and greater independence
  • support you in accessing services and opportunities, including education and health
  • offer practical help like coming to appointments with you, helping you buy essential items, or supporting you viewing a new home and then moving into your own place
  • invite you to contribute to develop and improve our services for care leavers​​

Pathway plan

Your PA and social worker will work with you to create a pathway plan which is a personalised roadmap for your future. 

The plan is shaped by your voice. You’ll help lead its development and review, making sure it evolves with your goals and needs. 

We’ll review it with you every 6 months.

Personal Education Plan (PEP)

If you're aged between 3 and 18 and in care, you’ll have a PEP. This plan outlines what needs to happen to help you succeed in school, including any extra support you might need. 

Local offer for care leavers

We continue supporting you into adulthood to help you: 

  • navigate life
  • achieve your ambitions
  • live independently

We’ll support you across 6 key areas:

  1. Relationships: help building healthy connections and support networks
  2. Health and wellbeing: access to physical and mental health support
  3. Education and training: access to skills development, including funding where needed​​​
  4. Financial: help with essentials like healthcare, travel, and setting up home
  5. Housing: help to find and maintain a safe and suitable home​
  6. Employment: guidance and opportunities to find work

The Local Offer is there to support you with this and coordinate with ​other services. 

Care leavers local offer​

Area of supportWhat you getDetailsHow to access support
​​Relationships​ ​ ​ ​
Trips to see family off-Island

2 trips per year and up to 2 nights of accommodation per trip. 

Up to £500 for travel and accommodation per trip.

To visit people important in your life.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Birthdays£50 voucher as a gift and a £40 voucher towards a celebration meal.Each birthday (excluding milestone birthdays).Talk to your Personal Advisor.
18th and 21st Birthdays£100 voucher (gift) and £40 voucher towards a celebration meal.For milestone birthdays.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Christmas and other religious festivals£50 voucher or a gift.In line with personal beliefs and customs, maximum of 2 per year.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Celebrating achievements£20 voucher.1 a year (for example, passing driving test, successfully completing an educational course such as GCSEs).Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Christenings£100 voucher.For a child's christening (outfit, gown, gift).Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Weddings£150 voucher.
One-off gift for care leaver getting married.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
PromUp to £250 (one time).
For outfit, shoes, transport, hair or preparation. Talk to your Personal Advisor.
University graduationUp to £250 (one time).
A contribution towards graduation costs.
Talk to your Personal Advisor.
​​​Health and wellbeing ​ ​ ​
GP appointments and prescriptions

Up to 6 GP appointments per year (including up to 4 prescriptions).

If on income support, we will cover 2 appointments.

In UK, prescriptions only.

Local cover applies in Jersey.

For UK residents, prescriptions only

If you're on Income Support, we cover 4 GP appointments per year.

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

Dental CareRoutine check-ups, scale and polish, hygienist, treatment. £150 twice a year.

General dental care.

Where dental treatment is required, and you're not on income support, we'll provide up to £1,250 per year with a valid dental plan.

If you're on income support, we cover treatment if a dental plan has been provided and agreed in the first instance.

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

Opticians1 eye test per year.

If you're on income support:

  • special grant covers basic glasses
  • prescription lenses (not extras)

If you're working:

  • up to £150 covered
  • refunded for those living or attending university in the UK

If you're on income support, you'll get basic glasses and lenses.

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

LeisureA gym and swimming pass.

This is available through Active Jersey.

Off peak pass for young people not in employment and on peak pass for those who are.

Gym pass needs to be used at least twice a week for this to be renewed. Reviewed monthly.

10 swimming lessons through Active Jersey.

For young people living in or attending university in the UK up to £350 a year towards a gym pass.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
​​Education and training​      

Annual bursary (Further Education)

 

£900 total payment per year.

Total payment split between terms.

For young people in Further Education (below degree level).

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Equipment and computer grant (Further Education)Support to access required equipment, up to £500.

Available if enrolled in training 12 hours or more per week.

This is a one-off payment.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Achievement of the NVQ level award or A levels£150.

Successful completion of this course.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Higher Education: tuition fees and maintenance grantFinancial support is provided from Student Finance. All Higher Education support is provided by Student Finance.Student Finance.
Completing your degree£500.
You'll receive a one-time award for completing your degree.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Living Expenses Bursary (Higher Education)Total amount £3,303 a year.

Total payment split between terms.

Provided by this service for students in Higher Education.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Access to equipment and computer grant. (Higher Education)Up to £500.
A one-off payment.
Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Visits to Further Education and Higher Education institutionsOne UK visit (to see up to 3 institutions).
Up to £1,600.		Visit must include up to 3 potential institutions in one trip with an approved adult.Talk to your Personal Advisor.

Flights for university students

3 return flights per academic year.
If you're studying Off-Island.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Flights for approved adult to support you at university
2 return flights and maximum 1 night of accommodation.

Up to £500 per trip:

  • one trip to settle you into university in the first term
  • one trip at the end of university to support you to return to Jersey
Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Transporting BelongingsCosts covered for taking items to and from university (up to £160)Beginning and end of course, where Jersey is home. This includes suitcases and shipping of items.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Driving lessons and tests

10 driving lessons (one-time entitlement)

You'll also ge​t:

  • 1 provisional
  • 1 full licence
  • 1 theory test
  • 1 practical test

Lessons can be rolled over but capped at 10.

Service covers a second attempt (theory or practical) if first test is failed.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Additional driving supportUp to £80 extra.
For young people with complex needs, to help with theory and lessons.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Bus Pass (Jersey or UK)Annual unlimited pass.
You must be in education, training, or employment. Only 1 pass (either Jersey or UK depending on main residence). Must be used regularly.Talk to your Personal Advisor.
​​​Financial      
Food vouchers

£50 per week (up to 4 weeks, once per year).

Only in cases of extreme hardship.

May increase if young person is a parent or an expecting parent-to-be.

Income support.​

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

 

Birth certificatesCovered.
Replacement or change of birth certificate, also registering the birth of a child (if parent is a care leaver).Talk to your Personal Advisor.
Passports and other IDCovered.

For young people with non-British passports and ID cards.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.

​​​Housing​   

Rent support

Income support will contribute towards 1-bedroom property rent.

Private rental or social housing, subject to affordability if working.

Income support.

 

Initial Local Offer GrantOne-off grant of £3,500.

To help set you up in your new home with essential items.

Talk to your Personal Advisor.

Parish ratesCovered up to age 25.
Applicable if you're on income support, included in household component.

Income support​.

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

Deposit and first month rent

 

Covered.

For private rental (if not already covered by income support).

Income support.

If you're not on income support, talk to your Personal Advisor.

Contents insuranceCovered for 12 months.
First year only.
Talk to your Personal Advisor.



Support entitlement for children in care

The support entitlement guide explains support expected from the Government of Jersey when they take on a ‘corporate’ parent role for children in care.

It makes sure that the right foundations are in place to support you to flourish.

As well as providing you with a safe home, we’ll ensure you:

  • have access to high quality education
  • have access to a full range of health and leisure activities
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