National Care Leavers Week exists for the public, professionals, carers, decision makers and the media to come together, to celebrate care leavers and raise awareness of the issues in the care system.
Children are taken into the care of the local authority when they cannot remain at home because it’s not safe for them to stay at home. It can be due to abuse or neglect, or because the child’s parent or guardian is unable to keep them safe.
We are using this week to celebrate our work with Worcestershire Children’s First (WCF) and the Connexions project that we have been involved with.
The Connexions project is a joint enterprise between Community Housing’s Money Advice and Sustainability Team and WCF, working together to support care leavers to become ‘tenancy ready’ and take on their first tenancy. The care leavers are supported with applying for housing, the allocation of a tenancy and with tenancy sustainment, providing an extensive support package to secure its success. We look at income maximisation, getting into work, provide support with benefit claims and budgeting, bill paying and managing a tenancy.
Case Study
An 18 year old care leaver who has been in care since they were a young child. The customer was living in supported accommodation out of the area but requested to move to the Wyre Forest for a fresh start. The customers notice period expired at the supported accommodation and they were moved to temporary accommodation in the Wyre Forest.
Children’s First put the customer forward for the Connexions project but there was a struggle with engagement in the beginning. The customer was direct matched to a suitable property, and we supported them to move their belongings and set up the housing element of their Universal Credit (UC) claim. We also supported them to set up their priority bills. Once they moved into their property, engagement was no longer an issue. A lot of support was required the first week in setting up the bills and general reassurance as the customer had never lived alone. The customer was referred to Unity for employment support, and they attended the first appointment with them for support and reassurance.
Since then, the customer has applied for numerous jobs, attended interviews and received two job offers. The customer has managed their money exceptionally well and kept their property to extremely high standard. The customer’s confidence has increased, and they felt ready for employment. Since then, they are now working full time and support will continue as and when needed.
Become Charity Care Advice Line
The Care Advice Line is a friendly helpline for children in care and care leavers.
Open: Monday- Friday, 10am-5pm
Call: 0800 023 2033
WhatsApp: 0786 003 4982
Email: advice@becomecharity.org.uk
Website: becomecharity.org.uk/
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