Leaving Care / In Care Services

The services will provide a range of specialised support services including Advocacy, Independent Visitors and Leaving Care Workers.

These services will make a significant contribution to the priorities for development identified in the Corporate Parenting Strategy which includes; • Educational aspiration, progress and attainment • Participation and advocacy; • Further improving the access of care leavers to education, training and employment; • Increasing the range of safe moving-on accommodation for care leavers LOT 1 The provision of a high quality Leaving Care Service which will ensure that Personal Advisors are provided to Care Leavers in line with the statutory duties under The Care Planning Regulations 2010 Children in Care and Care Leavers.

The Personal Advisor’s provided through this service will work alongside Local Authority Social Workers for under 18’s and take on case-holder responsibility for Care Leavers allocated to them up until the young person reaches the age of 21 (or 25 for those in further education) LOT 2 The provision of a high quality and accessible Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service to be provided in line with the statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 This service must provide: • Trained advocates and/or independent visitors for children and young people in care that require support • Trained advocates for children and young people involved in the child protection process to ensure their wishes and views are represented via advocates.

LOT 3 The provision of an effective, young people led Participation and Engagaement Service to provide a broad range of personal and social development opportunities for young people In Care and Care Leavers which improve confidence, communication skills, resilience and self-esteem.

The service will provide a range of activities which young people are supported to take part in, which; • Enables learning through a range of informal education activities and settings • Provides opportunities, activities and support for young people to overcome barriers to personal and social development and to further develop their pro-social skills and personal abilities • Recognises the value of peer support through the provision peer led activities and programmes and provides further opportunities and roles for young people In care / Care leavers to support their peers, i.e.) Peer mentoring/ befriending schemes This service will also develop opportunities to be involved and increase participation in the Children In Care Council and Care Leaver’s groups to ensure that young people have forums and support to influence change on issues that they identify as important to them, including policy and practice at local and national levels.

Young people will be supported through these groups to further develop their communication, team work, peer support, decision making, planning, voice and influence skills.