Care Leavers - Local offer
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For many young people, we know that the idea of leaving care can seem frightening. We understand this and are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our Local Offer has been designed with the support of care experienced young people and contains information and services you can access as a young person who has been looked after by Barnet Council. It is about the support available to you as you leave care.
We want to make sure that as you go through and leave care you feel safe and supported and know where to go for advice and guidance. We know that entering the world of adulthood is a big step with many new opportunities and decisions and want you to know that we still care about you and are determined to support you as best we can.
To be able to receive the support and services in this offer, you must have been in care for a period of at least 13 weeks (or periods amounting to 13 weeks) which began after you were 14 years old and includes some time on and after your 16th birthday. Personal Advisers (PA) within the care leavers service, will share and promote the Barnet local offer and ensure young people are aware of what services are available and the services they are entitled to.
The offer applies to all young people who have been in the care of Barnet Council, as outlined above, whether you are still living in Barnet or in another local authority area. At times we may need to make our support available to care leavers who are not from Barnet but live in the area.
If you are not sure whether you qualify for support, then ask your personal adviser/ social worker or visit the Onwards and Upwards Centre at Woodhouse Road.
Some information may change, so please make sure that you check this offer regularly. If you prefer a paper copy of this information or require this in a different language or format, please let your social worker or Leaving Care Personal Adviser (PA) know.
Your Rights
- You will be involved in all decision-making processes about your plans to leave care.
- You will be offered access to an independent advocate if you’re not happy with the care we give you.
- You will be able to see the information we keep about you and the files and records written about you whilst in care.
The process
- When you reach the age of 15 and a half O&U will begin working alongside your social worker and your carers to provide advice and assistance in helping you and them to begin building your Pathway Plan.
- Around your 16th birthday, your social worker will begin to have conversations with you about your Pathway Plan, known in Barnet as the All About Me plan. This will support you to prepare for leaving care. Part of this process will include being matched a Leaving Care PA. Your Pathway Plan will replace your care plan and should consider all the very important points in your journey to growing up and becoming an adult.
- At your last Looked After Child Review before your 18th birthday, the role and expectation of your PA will be written in your Pathway Plan with you. Your PA will work closely with your social worker until you turn 18 at which time your PA will be responsible for supporting you.
- The PA’s role is different to your social worker’s. They are there to provide advice and support to you in relation to work, housing and study. They will probably visit you less frequently than your social worker and generally your relationship will not be as formal.
- The amount of support that you receive from your PA will depend on what you both agree you need and your circumstances. The care leaver’s service would consider with you what extra support you may need.
View the full local Offer:
If you would like to submit information for inclusion in the offer, or request further information contact the Onwards and Upwards Team.
Contact us
34 - 36 Woodhouse Road
North Finchley
London
N12 0RG