I thought I knew what ah wanted was to go back to a family members, but they can just kick you out again when they feel like it. And they did. Me and my friend both ended up in a hostel and it felt really unsafe.

ContinuingCare is about giving young people stability and security as they move towards adulthood. It means they can stay in the same placement, with the same trusted relationships, until they’re 21. For a young person, knowing they don’t have to move on at 16 or 18 can feel like a huge relief.

But this time can also feel confusing — especially when there are different types of placements and options to consider. Between 16 and 18, a young person might be offered both Continuing Care and other arrangements. That’s why it’s so important for you, as a supportive adult in their life, to understand the difference and to be ready to talk it through with them. Whether you work in education, youth work, or social work, your understanding can help them feel more secure and confident about their future.

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Continuing Care is set out in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, Part 11, which amended the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. It means  that a young person can stay in the same accommodation (placement) and continue to receive the same support they had before they stopped being  “looked after” by the local authority.

To be eligible, a young person must:

* Have been looked after on or after their 16th birthday.

* Have been in a placement away from home.

* Cease to be looked after (for example, ending a supervision  requirement or voluntary arrangement).

Eligibility lasts until their 21st birthday. Importantly, young people  do not need to end a supervision requirement or voluntary arrangement earlier  than planned to qualify.

Continuing Care also marks a legal change in status — the young person  is formally leaving care — which can affect the resources and support  available to them.

Other relevant legislation and policy:

*UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 – strengthens children’s  rights in law, reinforcing the rights‑based foundation for Continuing Care  and Aftercare.

*Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 – recognises all  under‑18s as children in care and justice systems, ensuring more consistent  protections.

*The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland)  Bill 2025) is intended to extend aftercare eligibility to some young people  who left care before 16 (up to age 26), introduce a statutory right to  advocacy, and define “care experience” in law. For updates, see (https://www.parliament.scot/).

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*Listen first – Give the young person space to share their wishes, feelings, and concerns. Taking a strengths-based approach, it is important to enable the young person to identify what their solutions might be. While you might also have useful ideas, try not to jump in with your advice too quickly.

*Prioritise their needs – Factors like funding or placement availability should not outweigh the young person’s wishes and wellbeing. While resources are tight, there may be compromises that can be reached to accommodate their wishes.

*Plan together – Support them to move towards independence at their pace. This should be informed by their needs and aspirations, not just a set timeline.

*Encourage stability – Where possible, help them remain in their existing placement until they are ready for interdependent living — with healthy relationships, social supports, and networks.

*Stay informed – Use resources such as the Continuing Care and Your Rights digital guide by CELCIS, Clan Childlaw, and the Care Inspectorate which can be found here.

The Promise is Scotland’s commitment to keep the findings of the IndependentCare Review (2020). It recognises that young people need lasting, loving relationships, not just services that “end” when they turn 18 and includes a plan for action to 2030.

Keep up to date with legislative developments (https://www.parliament.scot/) and  (https://www.gov.scot/).

Staf hold implications of continuing care events throughout the year. Sign-up here.

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