Under the WIR scheme, it is proposed that the responsible local authority will have an ongoing duty to support ”eligible” children to remain with their foster carer/s beyond the age of 18, where the young person has requested this support. It recognises that not all young people are ready for the move to independent living at 18 and the new arrangements will offer a more gradual approach to planning the transition to adulthood, within a supportive family and household environment.
There would also be a duty to move a young person’s placement so that it would become sufficiently stable prior to their 18th birthday, in anticipation of the placement becoming a “WIR” arrangement. This would also apply to young people placed in a:
- Childrens Home
- In foster care where the placement is in danger of breaking down with their current carer
- Where the young person would like to remain in a stable setting but not with their current foster carers.
- Foster Carers
- All Young people in Kinship placements
To assist with the implementation of the WIR scheme in Conwy County Borough Council, the following actions have been undertaken:
- Development of a Draft “When I am Ready” Policy
- Needs Analysis of the Care Leavers Population
- Questionnaire survey undertaken with CCBC Foster Carers
- Host Authority for the Regional When I am Ready group.
- Presentation at Corporate Parenting Panel
In additional, the Pathway Service are working with partner agencies around the development of links with the Welfare Rights Service and with Housing around ensuring transitional arrangements are in place around financial support and for you people who wish to move on from the When I am Ready scheme.
The WIR scheme will ensure young people can remain with their former foster carers until they are prepared for adulthood and can experience a transition similar to their peers. It will also improve the life-chances of looked-after children by increasing their opportunities for social inclusion and providing the skills required for independence including managing a tenancy, managing money and finding education, employment or training.
Overall, an improvement in outcomes for young people leaving the care of the local authority.