Support and relationships for care leavers

Leaving care doesn’t mean leaving support behind. We’ll make sure you have people around you who listen, guide you and stand by you as you move into adult life.

This is what you need to know about our responsibilities, regarding support and relationships.

Support from your personal adviser (PA)

You will have your own named PA (Personal Adviser) with you if you are a former relevant care leaver or meet eligibility criteria as a qualifying care leaver

A PA is alternatively qualified and not a qualified social worker, However they can do certain things with you. For example, they will:

• Meet with you regularly (at least every eight weeks)
• Help you prepare and update your pathway plan so it matches your goals and dreams
• Support you to develop the skills you need to become a secure, safe adult who is able to cope with the responsibilities of adult life
• Help you to stay healthy, from finding a GP or dentist to linking you with mental health or wellbeing services
• Connect you with services if you need them, such as drug and alcohol support, counselling or sexual health advice
• Make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to (such as bursaries, benefits, or grants)

Young people get together at Chill-In Club

The 18+ Team are now running Chill-in Clubs on the first Thursday of every month from 4.30 to 7pm. The venue is:

Limbury Community Centre
Icknield way
LU3 2JR

You will take part in:

• making new friends
• fun activities
• learning new skills such cooking
• help make services better for other young people

Please contact your personal advisor if you would like to know more.

Luton Council's mentoring programme for young people

This programme is part of our corporate parenting commitment to care Leavers and has been developed following feedback from our young people.

Within the council we have a highly skilled and diverse workforce and many of them have stepped forward to take on the role of a mentor for our young people. We have external mentors and our care leavers who have signed up to mentoring.

The mentoring group matches mentees to mentors based on shared interests and career aspirations. The mentees and mentors meet approx. every two to six weeks depending on their needs, at mutually agreed venues, from cafes and coffee bars to the town hall. Young people have been supported in applying for jobs, training courses, university applications and running their own businesses.

Please contact your personal advisors in the 18 + Team and Virtual School Team if you would like to have a mentor allocated to you.

Advocacy

If you feel you're not being listened to or that you're not getting what you're entitled to, then you have the right to ask for an advocate from NYAS advocacy service.

An advocate is someone who does not work for us. They're there to help you challenge decisions that have been made about your life and future.

You can have an advocate to help with anything. For example:

• feeling that you are not being listened to
• disagreeing with plans for your future
• contact with your family
• financial support
• the accommodation we provide for you

If you're unhappy about anything, you have every right to ask for and be given an advocate. This service is free.

They'll travel to see you where you feel most comfortable. You don't have to ask your IRO, social worker or PA to refer you, but they can do this if you wish.

If you'd like to use this service or get an advocate you can call NYAS helpline for free on 0808 808 1001.

The helpline is open:

• weekdays 9am to 8pm
• weekends 10am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays)

Or you can email them at help@nyas.net.

Your relationships

It is important for everyone to have strong and supportive relationships. We can help you:

• stay in touch with people who’ve been important to you (like former foster carers, siblings, or independent visitors)
• reconnect with family, if its safe and right for you
• meet new people and build friendships through local groups, activities, and mentoring opportunities

Healthy relationships

Your PA can support you with advice and guidance on how to maintain healthy relationships and signpost you for support.

You should never feel pressured into a relationship that you don’t want to, and not all relationships are healthy. If something doesn’t feel right please speak with your PA.

If you need to, please see our domestic violence: directory of local services page fo find helpful resources.  

Further information

To get more information about support and relationships and our responsibilities, contact our service.

You can leave a comment, compliment or complaint about the service.

Children's social care comments and complaints

If you’re not sure what your care leaver status is, you can contact us:

Telephone: 01582 547820