Future Planning
Preparing for adulthood and reunification.
Preparing for adulthood and reunification.
Future Planning
The transition from care to independence is one of the most significant and complex journeys a young person undertakes.
At Third Hand Youth Services, our Future Planning service is designed to make this transition stable, supported, and successful, regardless of whether the young person is preparing to live independently, move into a supported placement, or return to their birth family.
Future Planning is essential for any young person in care approaching the age of 16-18, but is particularly crucial for those showing signs of being overwhelmed or unprepared for the responsibilities of independent living.
What is Future Planning support?
Future Planning is a dedicated, long-term support service for young people aged 16+ who are “Looked After” or are “Care Leavers” (in the UK). We work alongside the Local Authority Personal Adviser (PA) and the statutory Pathway Plan to ensure every young person gains the essential life skills, emotional resilience, and secure networks they need for adulthood.
Our support is highly personalised and focused on three core areas of stability:
- Accommodation & Health: Securing a safe place to live and ensuring continuity of health and well-being support (including mental health).
- Finance & Life Skills: Developing practical skills like budgeting, cooking, tenancy management, and understanding benefits/entitlements.
- Education, Employment, & Training (EET): Creating a clear, ambitious plan for their career and economic independence.
Laying the Foundation for Employment & Career
Education & Training Pathways
We ensure the young person’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) or Pathway Plan aligns with their aspirations:
- FE/HE Access: Providing guidance on college and university applications, financial support, and access to the higher education bursaries available for care leavers.
- Skill-Building Courses: Identifying and enrolling young people in short courses to gain qualifications in areas of interest (e.g., First Aid, Food Hygiene, IT skills), making them more attractive to employers.
Our Future Planning service ensures that no young person has to face the challenges of adulthood alone. We provide the third hand of support to help them build a life of stability, achievement, and self-belief.
Laying the Foundation for Employment & Career
Education & Training Pathways
We ensure the young person’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) or Pathway Plan aligns with their aspirations:
- FE/HE Access: Providing guidance on college and university applications, financial support, and access to the higher education bursaries available for care leavers.
- Skill-Building Courses: Identifying and enrolling young people in short courses to gain qualifications in areas of interest (e.g., First Aid, Food Hygiene, IT skills), making them more attractive to employers.
Our Future Planning service ensures that no young person has to face the challenges of adulthood alone. We provide the third hand of support to help them build a life of stability, achievement, and self-belief.
Areas of Concern
This service is necessary for a young person exhibiting the following signs
- Poor financial awareness (e.g., spending an allowance too quickly, not understanding the cost of utilities/rent).
- Disengagement from education, training, or employment (NEET).
- No clear goals or ambitions for the future; struggling to articulate what they want to achieve.
- Difficulty maintaining routine or punctuality, which impacts school/work attendance.