Local Offer for Care Leavers

This is the guide that all local authorities are required to provide you with. It contains information about the services and support that Care Leavers are entitled to and able to access within their local authority.

We will update this information regularly as new services and entitlements are agreed.

Goal 6: Manage Your Money

Money is important for your life and dreams. We want to help you learn how to manage your money well and make good choices. Here are some ways we can help:

  • National Insurance and Bank Account: By the time you turn 18, we will help you get your own National Insurance Number and bank account.
  • Savings: You will get access to the savings we made for you while you were in care and under 18.
  • Post-18 Finances: Your Social Worker or Personal Advisor will help you sort out your financial situation after you turn 18. 
  • Benefits: After you turn 18, you will need to pay for or help pay for the cost of your accommodation and your daily expenses. If you can get public funds, your Social Worker or Personal Advisor will help you apply for the benefits you are entitled to.
  • Support While Waiting: We will support you financially for up to 8 weeks while your benefits claim is being processed.
  • Hardship Payments: We will help you understand how to get hardship payments from the Job Centre if you need them.
  • No Public Funds: If you can’t get public funds because of your immigration status, we will support you financially while we make a plan for you.
  • Working: If you are working, we will help you find out what benefits you can get if you have a low income or a “zero-hour contract.”
  • Money Management: You can join online courses and workshops to learn how to manage your money. We will also tell you about services that can help if you have debt.
  • Financial Help: Enfield Care Leavers Team will help you with money in different ways depending on your age and situation.
  • Emergency Support: We can give you limited financial support in emergencies or special situations. These payments won’t be regular and might change.
  • Ask for Help: If you are unsure about your financial rights or extra support, always ask your Social Worker, Personal Advisor or our Duty Support Service.
  • Online Information: The online version of this offer on the Enfield Care Leavers website has a “Table of Allowances” section that shows all your financial rights and is kept up to date.
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Benefits coach (DWP)

We have partnered with the DWP, and support is on offer weekly via our Hub to help you apply, sustain or resolve any questions you have in relation to your benefits claim.

  • Contact your Social Worker or Personal Advisor to book an appointment.
  • Alternatively, contact Maxeen Messam, our Engagement and Participation Officer.
    T: 0208 132 2464/07356185102
    E: maxeen.messam@enfield.gov.uk
Enfield community hubs

Offers support with welfare advice, council tax and benefits enquiries.

Care Leaver Covenant
  • Support: provides you as a Care Leaver with a range of opportunities including discounts and offers in 23 varied sectors.  
  • Website: Care Leaver Covenant
Thames Water
  • Support: offers a discount to low-income households through their Water Sure Scheme so check with them if your qualify,  
  • Website: WaterHelp
Energy Efficiency Providers
  • Support: it is worth doing some research on who you choose to be your energy provider. Energy efficiency providers are essential to help you reduce your energy consumption, improve the comfort of your home and save you money on your energy bills.
  • Website: ask your Social Worker or Personal Advisor for support as there are different comparison websites that will help you compare providers to find out if you could make savings on your energy bills.
Enfield welfare advice and debt support

Offers support in your application to benefits and council debts such as council tax arrears, rent arrears or housing benefits overpayments.

Enfield community hubs
  • Offers support with debt advice.
  • Contact: check the website for locations and opening times. 
  • Website: Enfield community hubs
Enfield Debt Centre
  • Offers free support and advice on debt 
  • Contact: details on the website or by calling 07596 735789
  • Website: Enfield Debt Centre
StepChange
  • Offers support to be free from debt. 
  • Contact: either online or via 0800 138 1111
  • Website: StepChange Debt Charity
ALLOWANCES 16-17 years old 18-21 year olds
Subsistence £73.16 per week from June 2025 N/A. This is expected to come from employment or benefits if entitled to public funds
For UASC 18+ that do not have access to public funds the Care Leavers Service may continue with payments based on their asylum status and circumstances.
Young People in custody £10 per week N/A
Emergency Payments Under Management’s discretion Under Management’s discretion
Clothing £25 per month N/A
Parenting Grant £200 – once N/A
Birthday 16 years old £25.00. If in ETE this will increase to £75.00

17 years old £10. If in ETE this will increase to £50 Paid annually

 18 years old £25.00. If in ETE this will increase to £75.00 19-20 years old £10. If in ETE this will increase to £50

21 years old £25.00. If in ETE this will increase to £75.00 Paid annually
Festivals £75 Paid annually 18 years old £75.00

19-21 years old £25

Paid annually
ID Documents including Passport, Birth Certificates and Travel Documents Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service
Nationality and Citizenship process Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service
Leisure Activities Costs can be covered fully or partially by Care Leavers Service following an assessment of need N/A
Family contact Costs can be covered fully or partially by Care Leavers Service following an assessment of need N/A
Accommodation costs Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service Split cost between Care Leavers Service and the young person who is expected to contribute towards rent payments
For UASC 18+ that do not have access to public funds Care Leavers Service may continue with full rent payments based on their asylum status and circumstances
Setting Up Home Allowance N/A £3,000 – total
Move to own tenancy (Council or Private) N/A One month rent in advance will be paid directly into the rent account If an additional deposit is required this may be provided depending on outcome of assessment of need
Higher Education N/A £291.66 per month (£3500 per year) Paid monthly for a max of 4 years as long as the Care Leaver Service is not responsible for rent payments.
Post-Graduate Courses N/A Up to £3500.00 per student towards the cost of postgraduate courses depending on a needs assessment and after ensuring that all avenues of funding have been explored. Onetime payment.
Vacation accommodation during university N/A Split cost between LCT and the YP who is expected to contribute towards rent payments.
Travel for EET purposes Varies depending on assessment of need Varies depending on assessment of need
Moving Costs Cost will be covered by Care Leavers Service Varies depending on assessment of need
Savings £5 per week for young people in foster placement or semi-independent placements.

For those in semi-independent placements this saving policy took effect from the 1st of April 2023 and will be in place up to the 18th birthday of the young person.

 N/A
Group of young people