As a care leaver, you're entitled to financial support and advice. This will be different for each young person, so it's important that you speak with your personal adviser to confirm what support you're entitled to.
Part time training or education
You may be able to access bursary from the college. Ask your personal adviser for more information.
University accommodation support
We believe that being an estranged young person or care leaver shouldn’t mean being left behind. The Unite Foundation gives us a rent-free, year-round #HomeAtUniversity scholarship, which means you can go to university, stay at university and finish your course, just like anybody else.
With the Unite Foundation scholarship, you’ll have accommodation and bills covered for up to three years at university.
More about the Unite Foundation scholarship
Transport to education or training
Funding to pay for transport to education or training if no other funding is available, based on attendance.
Travel to work
Funding to commute to a new place of part-time or full-time work for up to four weeks based on assessed need.
Banking
Barclays LifeSkills have created twelve activity packs, working directly with:
- young people who've experienced care
- the adults supporting them
The packs have been adapted from existing financial education content and focus on a range of topics including:
- financial risk
- the cost of living independently
- borrowing, credit and debt
See 'moving forward after care' from Barclays
Metro’s bank account opening support
Metro Bank has developed a pragmatic, friendly account opening process. Instead of photo ID, Metro Bank stores will accept a letter from a local authority confirming the young adults identity.
For verification, Metro Bank colleagues will make a call to the local authority or care home to confirm the details of the letter.
Check out the care leavers covenant for more information.
The Care Leaver Covenant works with more than 600 organisations across the country to connect care leavers with exclusive opportunities in:
- education
- work
- wellbeing
- money
- your home
See more about the care leavers's covenant.
Work wear
Funding to buy essential work wear based on assessed need.
Contact
Funding to see family or significant others based on assessed need. This can be discussed when you do your pathway plan with your PA.
Photo ID
Provisional licence will be funded up to the age of 25 and a driving licence will be funded as a form of photo ID, based on assessed need. A passport will only be funded based on assessed needs).
Interview clothes
Up to a total of £100 for interview clothing based on assessed need.
Leaving care grant for setting up home
Up to a total of £3,000 funding to buy essential furniture and household items based on assessed need. Ask your personal adviser for more information.
Support for course equipment
Funding for course equipment based on assessed need. Ask your social worker or personal adviser about how you access it.
Cheaper broadband and phone packages
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.
Driving lessons
Funding for up to 20 driving lessons. You'll be expected to be able to pay for any further lessons. We'll pay for fees for up to two theory tests and two practical driving tests, based on assessed need.
Council Tax relief
We've agreed that care leavers will not have to pay Council Tax wherever they're living within the UK. Depending on the number of adults residing in your property, this could be up to 100%.
Your personal adviser can help you apply for this exemption. This only applies:
- until you're 25
- if you don’t live with someone else who is not a care leaver
- if you're living alone or with a dependent under the age of 18 then you are eligible for the single person discount.
If you're in receipt of benefits, you may also be eligible for a Council Tax reduction.
You must apply for the Council Tax exemption. Please discuss this with your personal adviser and let them know of any change in circumstance.
Graduation ceremony
£100 for expenses related to your graduation ceremony - needs based.
Higher education allowance
Financial support of £150 per week during your degree course will be provided based on assessed needs.
Higher education bursary
£2,000 higher education bursary is provided for undergraduate courses. This will be paid in term time instalments for the duration of the course. This is a one off bursary
Leaving care allowance while waiting for your first Universal Credit claim
You'll receive a weekly allowance for five weeks while you wait for your Universal Credit. You'll be expected to make an advanced benefit claim and your personal adviser will support you with this.
Additional support
Sparks Foundation grants
The Sparks Foundation provides grants of amounts up to £700 which will either:
- help to advance the education or vocational training or employability of children and young people under the age of 26
- provide those who are leaving care, or have recently left care, with basic items, facilities or equipment (where eligible)
The overall aim is to give this group the same chance as those who have not been in care.
See the Spark Foundation grants policy.
Capstone Care Leavers Trust
Individual grants are most likely to be for amounts between £300 and £2,000, but we'll consider awards of up to £3,000 specifically in relation to higher education fees or training courses:
- that are not funded by Student Finance England or the local authority
- where all other educational grant, bursary or subsidy entitlements have been exhausted, dependant upon your individual circumstances
This could also include tools or equipment that are essential for the course.
See how Capstone Care Leavers Trust can help.
The Rees Foundation
The Rees Foundation aims to help care-experienced people who find they're in financial crisis. You can apply for a small crisis payment to help out in an emergency for things like:
- gas
- electric
- essential travel costs
If short of food, the trust may be able to provide grocery gift vouchers.
More about crisis payments from The Rees Foundation.
Based on assessed need and outlined in your pathway plan, rent deposit will be funded to secure accommodation for independent living. If you haven't received this prior to age 21 then this financial support can be accessed up to age 25.
Removal costs
Removal expenses for up to two changes of address based on assessed needs. If you're living with a partner only half the removal fee will be paid. This will be based on assessed need.
See
for more information.
Parents
Based on assessed needs if you're having your first baby, we'll provide up to £400. This will be split into two payments - one 4 weeks before birth and second after baby is born. If you're having your second baby, we'll provide up to £200. This will be split into two payments - one 4 weeks before birth and second after baby is born.
Birthday payment
We'll provide you with £50 each year for your 18th to 24th birthdays.
Useful information
Money
- Money advice on Luton Directory - find organisations and services that can help with money and legal advice
- Benefits calculators - use an independent benefits calculator to find out what benefits you could get, how to claim and how your benefits will be affected if you start work
- Find your local JobCentre Plus - contact them about making a new benefit claim, existing benefit claims or changing or cancelling an appointment