Moving into adulthood in Scotland: support and entitlements for children and young people with experience of care
These webpages bring together information about the transition into adulthood and why moving into adulthood matters for children and young people with experience of care, alongside CELCIS’s work to improve outcomes for care experienced children and young people, and links to support available for children and young people with experience of care in Scotland.
What moving into adulthood involves – and why this stage matters
Moving into adulthood is a significant time in everyone’s life. It involves making decisions about education, training or work, managing money, and taking on new responsibilities such as moving into and looking after a home. At the same time, young people are getting to know who they are, where they belong, and building a sense of identity, confidence and wellbeing.
For most young people, this is not a single moment but a process that unfolds over several years. Late childhood, adolescence and early adulthood are therefore critical stages for growth, learning and laying strong foundations for the future.
How this stage of life can feel different for children and young people with experience of care
- CELCIS Consultant with lived experience
Data published by the Office for National Statistics in April 2026 shows that many young adults aged 20–34 in the UK continue to live with their parents while they study, work and take time to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed for adulthood.
In contrast, care experienced young people are often expected to move from foster care, kinship care or residential child care into independent living at a younger age, and often with less support than their peers who do not have experience of care. As a result, care experienced children and young people may face decisions about education, employment, finances and housing at a much younger age, and at a time when they are still growing and learning. Taking on these responsibilities earlier can increase pressure and reduce the time and space children and young people need to build confidence, develop life skills and move towards independence.
“There is something about the system catching up with society… people are staying at home a lot longer….” - CELCIS Consultant with lived experience
What we know helps make transitions into adulthood better
CELCIS research and learning from people with lived experience and practitioners who support them show that care experienced children and young people have smoother transitions when they can remain in safe, stable care for as long as they need, and are well supported. From the point a child is supported by their local authority, planning should focus on their wellbeing, strengths and aspirations, including how they will be supported into adulthood.
Meaningful support includes giving young people in foster care, kinship care and residential child care, and those who support them, the time, guidance and resources needed to build confidence and develop life skills. It also means supporting young people to move forward at a pace that is right for them, maintain supportive relationships beyond leaving care, and access practical, emotional and financial help, including support with education, training, employment and housing.
A crucial part of this is ensuring that positive and supportive relationships continue, and that support is provided in a holistic, rather than a fragmented way.
“Often care experienced people have the least resilience during times of transitions – so support from people you know is especially important during this stage.” - CELCIS Consultant with lived experience
CELCIS Research
In 2022, CELCIS published key findings from ‘Continuing Care: An Exploration of Implementation’, a research study examining how Continuing Care is implemented and interpreted across Scotland. The study explores what enables and challenges the necessary improvements needed at national and local level to support children and young people to successfully transition to adulthood. In 2026, an article CELCIS wrote about this research was published in Child & Family Social Work.