Our support to you
We know that it is a big step when you move out of care and start living independently on your own or with friends. Just because you are leaving care, or have already left care, we haven’t stopped caring about you and we can help.
We want to make sure that you feel safe and supported and know where and who to go to for advice and help.
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 told us that we need to publish a ‘Local Offer to Care Leavers’ This local offer will provide information about all the services and support that is available to Care Leavers who were in the care of Stoke on Trent City Council.
We will tell you about what you can expect from us, This support may vary dependent on your circumstances. The act also states that you will be able to ask for support from the Leaving Care services up to the age of 25 , whether you are in education or training or not.
If you have left the service and are still under 25 then you can contact us for further information on how to access the support you may need. To be able to get some or all of support set out in this local offer, you must have been in care for a period of at least 13 weeks (or periods amounting to 13 weeks) which began after age 14 and included some time after your 16th birthday. If you are not sure whether you qualify for support you can contact the Leaving Care Team or speak to your Social Worker.
Stoke-on-Trent Care Leavers have been consulted with regards to the offer and this offer will be published and reviewed annually. We have some things that we must do as a service, but we have also spoke to a number of Care Leavers with regards to what else we could offer you.
.We are your ‘Corporate Parents’ which means, it is our responsibility to be good parents to all young people in our care. Being a good parent means keeping you safe and providing you with the highest possible level of support to meet your individual needs. We can help you to access housing, education and training, work experience, health services and we are here to support you to make the most of leaving care. We will give you advice on obtaining a suitable placement, help with education, employment and training programmes. We will give you advice, encouragement and financial advice to help you make the most of your journey through the care system. We are also responsible for helping and supporting you after you have left our care.