New financial support for young people leaving care in Scotland
Young people leaving care in Scotland will be given new financial support when transitioning into adulthood and independent living.
Around 1,300 young people leave care each year and will be eligible for the new, one-off Care Leaver Payment of £2,000 from 1 April. The payment was co designed with care experienced young people, who highlighted ways it could help them, such as funding driving lessons, purchasing a laptop for their studies, or covering some of the costs of setting up their own home.
The Care Leaver Payment is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering The Promise of the Independent Care Review. It has worked in partnership with COSLA to ensure that the payment will be delivered automatically to young people by local authorities as they leave care or continuing care.
The Care Leaver Payment builds on existing support for care leavers in Scotland which includes Council Tax exemption and the Care Experience Bursary for those going on to college or university.