NAFWC 05/2005 Children first programme in Wales guidance for 2005 – 2006 Annex 5

05/2005

There will continue to be significant growth until 2006 in the numbers of care leavers qualifying for support under the arrangements which came into force on 1st October 2001, when the first cohort who qualified at age 16 reach 21. Beyond this, some young people will be eligible for support up to age 24 if in training or education. Previous Children First Guidance emphasised that annual increases in baseline funding of Children First Grant have been in part to support this growing pressure. Local authorities should ensure that support arrangements for care leavers are adequately resourced to meet legal obligations to care leavers and provide good quality services.