We have listened to what our care leavers have to say about what the council does for them, and what is important to them. The feedback they gave helped us create a core offer to care leavers. We will continue to listen to what you tell us, and will make sure the support we offer is the support you need.

What happens when a young person leaves care?

You will be given a leaving care support worker. Your support worker will talk to you about the information in the core offer. However, if you have any questions, or if you feel you need something different, just ask them. 

We know moving into independent living is a big step. We want to make sure you know where to go for support and advice when you need it. 

Contact us

Please contact us about leaving care using the following contact details:

• Telephone: 01670 536400
• Email: northumberlandadolescentservices@northumberland.gov.uk

Who qualifies for care leavers support?

To be able to get the support this core offer describes, you need to have been in care for at least thirteen weeks between ages 14 and 16 (including your 16th birthday) or for 13 weeks after your sixteenth birthday. If you are not sure whether you have been in care during these times, please ask your social worker or personal advisor.

Within Northumberland, we have a specialist 18+ team - this ensures the support you receive is relevant to you. You will be allocated a support worker who will help you in all areas of your life.

Your leaving care support worker is the person who you will have the most contact with. 
They will:

• coordinate the help and support we agree with you in your Pathway Plan
• make sure your Pathway Plan is reviewed regularly with you to ensure it still meets your needs
• take the lead in considering your safety
• involve you in planning how to reduce the risks you face

To find out more about Pathway Plans and how they help young people leaving care, please click here.

Our promise

Northumberland County Council has made some promises to all looked-after children and young people. This is called ‘Our Promise’. It outlines the help and support all looked-after children will get, and what they should expect. Please click here for more information on Our Promise.

Please click here for details on how to contact the Northumberland Care Leavers service.

We will ensure that you have support in all aspects of your health, and we don’t just mean exercising and eating healthy foods - although this is still important.
When we talk about your health, we also mean:

• how you feel about yourself
• managing your emotions
• mental health
• good sexual health.

• provide you with a health passport when you reach 18 years of age; this is a summary of your health information and contains useful information for services you may need
• support you to register with health services and GPs
• help you attend health appointments
• help you manage your emotional health - children and young people's mental health service provide support until you are 18 years old
• help you access adult mental health services - where appropriate - or provide information on other relevant organisations

Health and wellbeing services

• Health Services near me (inc doctor, dentist, optician, sexual health)
• Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (0-18yrs)
• Adult Mental Health Services 
• Support with drugs and alcohol 

• give you the support you need to have contact with family and friends, including covering some travel costs where necessary if they live far away
• maintain a good relationship with you, ensuring face to face contact once a month as a minimum.

Parent and child leaving care

You should discuss your goals and ambitions with your leaving care worker. They can assist you in finding the right support, whether that is taster days with an employer, creating a great CV, or preparing for a job interview.

We will:

• support you to secure training opportunities, further and higher education, and employment. You will be supported by a specialist member of the careers guidance team
• work closely with educational providers to make sure you are supported to meet your aspirations
• aim to visit young people who study away
• have high aspirations for care leavers and encourage you to meet all of your ambitions, whatever they are.

• Ensure that your views are listened to and considered throughout the process
• Help you find somewhere safe and suitable to live 
• Support you within your foster placement after you reach 18 years of age on a Staying Put arrangement, if that is something you and your carers want. Please click here to find out more about Staying Put.
• Provide you with practical support, such as helping you to move home and buy the basics you need to live comfortably
• Understand that your needs change and support you through any problems that arise, even once you’re settled.

• financial support
• help accessing benefits, jobs, and training
• support in budgeting for your future
• support with food shopping
• support with gas and electricity.

Voice Making Choices (VMC)

Mind of My Own

Creating your Pathway Plan

We feel it is important that you are able to understand these rights and how they affect you. Your leaving care support worker is a great place to start if you have any questions about specific rights for care leavers.

Your rights and how we can help

• You can challenge the care and support you have received from Northumberland County Council. Our participation and advocacy services can help you if this is the case. Please click here to visit the Young People’s Participation Homepage. 
• We will make sure you can let us know how you feel about the services and support you receive.

To make sure you have everything you need, if you have not already recieved these whilst in care, we will support you in getting the following:

• your national insurance (NI) number
• your first passport
• your birth certificate
• a provisional driving licence if you need this for employment, education, or training.
• bank account 
• saving fund 

• For more information on children's services complaints, please click here.
• For more information on leaving care, please click here.
• For more information on visiting family and friends in prison, please click here.
   

Northumberland Adolescent Services: 

• Email: northumberlandadolescentservices@northumberland.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01670 536400

Advocacy team:

• Email: advocacy@northumberland.gov.uk
• Telephone: 07966332280
• Click here to learn more about the advocacy team