Your rights as a Care Leaver

As a Care Leaver, you will be:  

• involved in all decision-making processes about your plans to leave care
• offered access to an independent advocate if you are not happy with the care we give you
• able to see the information we keep about you, including the files and records written about you whilst in care

The law states that:  

• for care leavers aged 16 to 17, the local authority (Westminster City Council) has a duty to support them (and provide them with a personal advisor) once a young person turns 18.  
• for care leavers aged 18 to 20, local authorities must proactively keep in touch with care leavers.  
• for care leavers aged 21 to 24, local authorities must assess care leavers’ needs and develop and review a pathway plan only where a young person requests support. 

Your leaving care team will consider with you what extra support you may need.

You might, for example, need extra support because:  

• you have special educational needs or a disability.  
• you are an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child (UASC), and your immigration status is unclear.  
• you are in or leaving custody or have had contact with the criminal justice system.  
• you are a young parent, or  
• you are going through a difficult time in your personal life.  

Your right to be heard

If you feel you have been treated unfairly at any point in the process of leaving care, we will support you to challenge this. Independent advocates are separate from the council’s Leaving Care Service and can inform you about your rights and help you to be heard. The Children’s Rights Officer provides advocacy services in Westminster. Please email [email protected].  

Do not forget: You have a right to see the information we keep about you, including the files and records written about you when you were in care. We try to share this information with you at an appropriate time and help you understand your experiences. We will ensure that a discussion fully explains this process before you access your information.