What happens to young people when they leave care? Young care leavers are often over-represented in social policy areas, for example, in the homelessness, begging and poverty statistics. Although there has been some progress in assisting care leavers with their transition to independence, the problems they present and face remain acute. This volume contains extensive practice information, research material and policy findings about young people leaving public care and the work of leaving care projects. It includes data on the circumstances of over 3000 young people leaving care, as well as the work of leaving care projects across England and Wales which participated in the research, and provides an extensive analysis of national and local developments and the impact of the Children's Act 1989. Each chapter provides good practice and policy examples and the text concludes with a critical analysis of key practice, policy and theoretical issues and discussion of ways of moving forward.