§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve the interdependence and effectiveness of advocacy and support services for children in residential care and their preparation for independent living when they leave residential care. [80471]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Children (Leaving Care) Act commenced in October 2001. This imposed a duty on local authorities to provide a personal adviser to each young person leaving care from their 16th birthday. This adviser must work with the young person to draw up a "pathway plan" setting out the support that they must have to prepare them for independent living. Part of the adviser's role will be to represent the views of young people and to advocate on their behalf with the agencies whose services will be necessary to prepare them for adulthood. Guidance to the Act also requires local authorities to make provision so that young people may have access to independent advocacy if they need to complain about how services have been provided for them.
The Adoption and Children Act 2002, when commenced, will place a new duty on local authorities to make arrangements for the provision of advocacy for looked after children.