BSmart Cards are being launched now! The cards are for all 11 - 16-year-old young people in Bolton. But young people in Years 9, 10 and 11 will have £35 per month put on their card to spend on activities. Click here to find out more ....

Also, see the letters below regarding BSmart Cards:

Letter 1 sent to carers of Yr 9, 10 and 11 Looked After Young People

Letter 2 sent to carers of Yr 9, 10 and 11 looked after young people

Care Matters updates..
 
Young People 18+ are to be allowed to stay with their carers..
 
From 2008 to 2011, the Government will be making available £1.5 million a year to enable local authorities to test out ways of allowing young people to remain with their foster carers post 18.
 
Currently, young people aged 18 and over who remain with former foster carers are legally adults and no longer 'in care'. But the Government wishes to support arrangements that allow young people to remain living with their former foster carers after they turn 18. This will mean that they can move on, at a time of their own choosing, with the right support in place, just like other young people.
 
These pilot schemes will enable all concerned to see any practical and financial barriers that could arise. These might include issues relating to:
 
- the tax status of those caring for care leavers
- the number of fostering placements available
   locally to meet the needs of young people entering
   care.
 
The pilot period will allow practical solutions to be found for any problems before rolling out the scheme nationally from 2011 onwards. An invitation for Local Authorities to bid for the pilot schemes was issued in February 2008.

Click here to find out more ...