Our commitment to Care Leavers
When the time comes for young people to leave our care, they are entitled to a range of services which are to help them plan their future and achieve their aspirations. This preparation to leave care starts after the young people turn 16 and the support they may receive can be in place until they turn 25.
What is Commitment to Care Leavers?
‘Commitment to Care Leavers’ is our local offer to all care leavers. The document outlines the advice, support and guidance we will provide in collaboration with partner agencies and organisations.
Our commitment includes developing a pathway plan with the help of our social workers and personal advisors from the Leaving Care team – which relates to planning for the right accommodation, independent skills, employment, education or training. The commitment includes ensuring we provide a personal advisor to help with income-related matters and support them.
In creating this, we have consulted with and involved young people to make sure our offer is what care leavers want and need.
Coming together at No 11
At a recent launch event, 100 people including council staff, partners and care leavers came together to celebrate the launch of our commitment. Held at ‘No 11’ in the centre of Huddersfield, which is a space where young people who have left care pop in to discuss any specific issues, ask for support and services.
Cllr Viv Kendrick, our Cabinet Member for Children said:
“This resource contains a lot of useful information about the support services that care leavers can access. We want to make it as easy as possible for leavers to know what help they can get from the Council.
“We will be reviewing the information annually and we will be using feedback to inform any updates.
“I am delighted with our commitment to care leavers. This is our pledge to young adults who are due to leave our care but our duty of care does not end there, it continues for as long as necessary.”
For more information please go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/leavingcare or get in touch with the Care Leaving Team on 01484 21900.