Leaving care

Young people leaving care are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society:

• they are three times more likely to be cautioned or convicted of an offence
• they are four times more likely to have a mental health disorder
• they are five times less likely to achieve five good GCSEs, eight times more likely to be excluded from school and less likely to go to university
• one in five homeless people are care leavers

(DfES, 2007, Care Matters: Time for Change)

Helping the transition to independent living

Leaving care is a daunting process for young people. Our care leaver services offer a range of help and support for young people who are leaving local authority care.

Our main focus is making sure young people leaving care are in suitable education, training, employment and accommodation. But we also offer a variety of other support:

• advisers for all eligible, relevant and former relevant young people, under the provision of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
• individual support, advice, advocacy and training to prepare for adulthood
• access to suitable accommodation and support in existing accommodation
• maximising education, training, employment, health and leisure opportunities (including benefits and allowances)
• regular contact with young people and an accessible service, including drop-in services
• intensive support as necessary to particularly vulnerable young people
• maximising positive outcomes by working with partners such as the Youth Offending Team, probation service, and health, drug and alcohol services

Support when it is needed most

Our independent visitors are there for young people in local authority care who have little or no contact with their parents. As adult volunteers, they offer a great deal of support - making friends with young people, visiting them regularly and helping them to make decisions about their life.

By providing a safe and reliable relationship our independent visitors help and encourage a young person's social, emotional, cultural and educational development, really making a difference.

We provide experienced independent visitors from a wide range of backgrounds. Some of our young people have had the same visitor for over 10 years - many view this person as the most significant adult in their lives.

Our impact

• 100% of young people engaged with our Helensburgh and Lomond Housing Service gained the life skills to sustain a future tenancy
• 88% of young people engaged with our RCT Leaving Care Service in Wales now have suitable accommodation and 95% of care leavers are able to sustain their tenancy
• 90% of young people remain in stable accommodation during their involvement with our Bolton Young People's Accommodation Service