When you are 15 and six months old, you begin to become a Care Leaver and the Local Authority (your Corporate Parent) start to help you plan the pathway to your future. They do this with you by completing a Pathway Plan. There are two parts to your Pathway Plan. Part 1 is all about what you need (leaving care assessment of need) and part 2 is all about your goals and plans. In part 2 this will cover what you want to do, who is going to help you do it and when will it be done by. Your first Pathway Plan will be completed by your 16th birthday, when you become an eligible young person and this will set out your plan from age 16 to age 18. You may take stepping stones to your independence in this time. 

You will complete your Pathway Plan with your Social Worker and then from 18-21 or 25, you will complete the plan with your Personal Adviser. When you are 16 and 17, you will have a Care Plan and a Pathway Plan. You will review the plan with your Social Worker or Personal Adviser:

• If you have any big changes in your life, such as any worries about your health, your housing situation changes or there's a change with your family.
• If you want your Pathway Plan updated.
• If your Social Worker or Personal Adviser thinks your Pathway Plan needs to be updated.
• At a minimum of every six months.

Remember it is YOUR plan!

Your Social Worker and Personal Adviser will be there to support you and hopefully make all those goals on your Pathway Plan achievable.