The Children and Young Persons Act 2008

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There are a number of legislations which address the needs of young people leaving care with provisions that are in place to help them through life transitions. The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 focuses on older young people and those who are leaving care. Providing the necessary legislative support to improve the care system in England. Ensuring that stability and continuity in every aspect of a child's care. This act proposed to reform the statutory framework for the care system involving children and young people as much as possible regarding decision making, giving them a voice so that they are heard. Resulting in the improvement of care standards.

Its main aims are to improve the delivery of social workers, the functions in relation to young people, the duties of the local authorities, encourage higher education or training, improve care standards. Giving young people an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to ensure they are situated in the right accommodation after care and also providing them with a personal advisor so that they can plan their futures and any goals made are possible and achieved increasing the transparency of care planning. These aims ensure that young people are placed in the most appropriate placement with on going support to ensure their needs are being met.

The children and young persons act 2008 brought about a number of provisions ensuring that young people up to the age of 18 are not forced out of care before they are ready. Each young person would be assigned to a personal advisor and extending their entitlement to the age of 25, for those who remain in education. This therefore improves their educational experience and influences young people in care to continue in education or training.

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... an increase in the amount of children going into care. Care settings promote multi-agency working in order to provide children with the best possible start in life. Working with organisations such as schools, hospitals, police and other care settings. In more recent times The Children and Families Bill (2013) came about and aims to reform the system for adoption and children in care. This will hopefully work alongside the Children and Young Persons act 2008 and fill in any gaps.

In conclusion children leaving care should be safe, healthy and provided with support, equal opportunities and make positive contributions in society. Services, resources and the process of leaving care has improved alongside the after care support due to the Children and Young Persons act 2008. However, wide spread abuse and failures in care are still experienced within the care system.

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