CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 75 Transition to independence

CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 75

75 Transition to independence

(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been a child in the custody or under the guardianship of the chief executive.

(2) As far as practicable, the chief executive must—

(a) ensure help is available to assist the person in the transition from being a child in care to independence; and

(b) ensure the help is available to the person for the period starting when the person turns 15 and ending when the person turns 25.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2) (a) , the help may include the following—

(a) help to access entitlements, including, for example, social security allowances or payments;

(b) help to access appropriate accommodation;

(c) help to access education and training;

(d) help to obtain employment;

(e) help to obtain legal advice;

(f) help to access health and community services, including, for example, specialist disability support services;

(g) support in establishing or maintaining relationships with the person’s family or carer;

(h) help in accessing information, including information in the chief executive’s possession or control, about the person and his or her time in care;

Note—

See section 188C about the information the chief executive may give the person.

(i) counselling or other support to help the person in relation to information mentioned in paragraph (h) ;

(j) other assistance, based on an assessment of the person’s needs, provided by the chief executive.

Examples of assistance, based on a person’s needs, that may be provided by the chief executive—

• financial assistance under section 159

• help given to ensure a young person with impaired capacity is given the opportunity to develop decision-making skills and exercise the rights mentioned in the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , sections 5 and 6

(4) In this section—


"information" includes a document or copy of a document.