In 2011 there were 3,662 young people eligible for aftercare services across Scotland. Approximately 1,000 young people leave care each year from a range of care settings, meaning that there are approximately 3,000 care leavers aged 16 โ 19 and 9,000 aged 16 โ 25 currently living in Scotland.
This briefing paperย outlines the legal, policy and practice positions for working with care leavers before going on to situate the importance of lived experiences of leaving care by young people and adult care leavers. We consider the gaps in provisions and the needs of care leavers up to the age of 25 as this is the age group suggested in the new Bill. We propose that there is an extension in legislation, policy and practice to support care leavers financially, practically and emotionally up to the age of 25 should they wish to receive this support.