Learning independent living skills often starts with everyday reflection: noticing what feels manageable, what feels new and where support is needed. For care leavers preparing for adulthood, a structured workbook can turn big topics like money, wellbeing, housing and health into practical conversations with a personal adviser, foster carer, key worker or trusted adult.
In leaving care support sessions, semi-independent accommodation or pathway planning meetings, the workbook gives young people a place to record what they know and what they still want to practise before living more independently. It is particularly suited to teenagers and young adults leaving local authority care, including those working through pathway plans or preparing for a housing application.
The contents cover key independent living skills across wellbeing, money management, housing tenancy preparation, health and safety at home, substance misuse awareness, sexual health, cooking and healthy eating, and employability skills. The introductory notes also link completion of the workbook to AQA Unit Award Scheme accreditation, making it relevant for structured life skills courses.
Early activities ask the young person to define good mental health, list ways to improve wellbeing, explain personal hygiene, and identify causes and treatments for stress and depression. There are also prompts for recognising who can help when feeling low, unwell, in debt, affected by drugs or alcohol, or frightened in a relationship.
The money management section includes a monthly income and expenditure table with everyday costs such as rent, service charges, utilities, council tax, phone bills, internet, transport, food, toiletries, prescriptions, dental care, haircuts, childcare, hobbies and entertainment. This makes it useful for budgeting practice, tenancy readiness work and conversations about avoiding arrears or eviction.
Rather than being a reading-only booklet, the format encourages discussion, written answers and personal planning. Personal advisers, leaving care workers, support workers and foster carers could use it over several sessions to evidence understanding, identify gaps in practical skills and help young people build confidence about adult life.
