Services for children and families
Support for when a young person leaves care
If you are under 26, leaving care, and making your own decisions about how you want to live, we are here to help you with:
- planning your future
- getting the ‘life skills’ you need to live independently (such as cooking or budgeting)
- getting somewhere to live – and keeping it
- helping you pay for the things you need
- looking after your health
- learning and work
We will provide you with your own ‘Lead Professional’ from Barnardo’s Springboard. Together you will create your "Young Person’s Plan", which is your plan for moving onto independence.
Your Lead Professional will give you help if you need it and will make sure you get the things you need to enter the next stage of your life. If things change, they will help you. There are some benefits for Care Leavers that you can only apply for through your adviser.
We'll make sure that you get somewhere to stay. There are different options to consider, some give you a stepping stone towards a home of your own. Once you are ready to manage this, you will be offered a Highland Housing Register tenancy, which will be your permanent home. We will support you through this process.
Useful Information
- Our Housing Options Protocol for Care Leavers.
- University of Highlands & Islands
- Council Tax discount
- Who Cares Scotland
- Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum