Care leavers - Print version

Through Care: Children in care and care leavers

This page will give you an overview of some of the work Through Care does and the support available to you.

Who are we and what do we do?

The Through Care Service is made up of Social Workers, Personal Advisers (PAs), Children and Families Workers and a Housing Liaison Officer.

Our team provide social work and personal advice to you between the ages of 12 to 25.

Our social workers and personal advisers work with you, as agreed in your Pathway Plan and are passionate about supporting you in all areas of your life.

Our Local Offer

Once you turn 16 you will be given a copy of Coventry's local offer [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/43362/throughcare-local-offer-booklet] and this will give you an overview of the support on offer to you - now you are near adulthood. You will also have a visit from a Personal Adviser - who will explain what their role is and what their support will look like when you turn 18.

Your Social Worker will work with you until you turn 18 and then you will be supported by your personal adviser. Their support is different to that of a social worker and we want you to make more decisions - you’re in the driving seat, we’re just here to keep you on the road!

Turning 18

Becoming an adult can be a tricky time. Things like leaving school, finding a job, starting a relationship, setting up a home and becoming a parent don’t always happen in order.
For many young people, becoming an adult is a unique journey and people learn life skills differently. We know that it’s a big step and we want to make sure that you feel supported and know where and who to go to for advice and help.

Your home

When you turn 18, your Personal Adviser will help you find the right home for you. You will be supported to explore all your different housing options and will be able to access your setting up home grant (£3000) - once you move into your own home. Whilst you are preparing to live independently, you will have the opportunity to spend time in the training flat and will have priority access to social housing - once you are ready for your own tenancy. You will not have to pay council tax until you are 21 if you are living in Coventry or if we placed you out of the city. You will also be able to access a 70% discount on your water bills if your home is covered by Severn Trent.

Your relationships

As well as support from a Personal Adviser, we want to ensure you have a wide and supportive network of people around you. We can complete a referral to our Lifelong Links [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/lifelong-links/lifelong-links-guide] service for you and they will support you to reconnect with significant people in your life. As well as this, If you have been a part of our House Project their support will not stop once you turn 18. You will also be able to access support from our Staying Close team if you have moved on from one of our residential homes. In addition to this, if you would like to have continued contact with your IRO you can access their post 18 offer. You may also be able to access some support to see your wider family and this is something you should explore with your Personal Adviser.

Your education and employment

We want you to succeed in your education, employment and training. We will support you in accessing and maintaining education, employment and training in various different ways. You will be supported to attend university open days, buy essential study equipment and access a higher education bursary of £2000. You will be encouraged to access carers' advice and can receive support from our apprenticeship team. We hold a regular panel for those not in education, employment or training and your personal adviser will share your wishes/feelings about your aspirations.

Your health and wellbeing

We will support you in getting the help you need for your physical and mental health. You will be given a 'health passport' when you turn 18 which will provide you with an overview of your health history. You and a guest can access free sports facilities across the city - including the Wave Gym. You will be supported to register at health services near you and you will be encouraged to access services in the local area. You will also have access to 'AskJan' which is a 24-hour service, that provides counselling amongst other support.

See further information about mental health support and what is available [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/childrens-mental-health].

Your finances

We have a full financial support package available which is set out in Money Matters [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/43361/through-care-money-matters-booklet]. Prior to turning 18 you will be supported to open a bank account and to get your national insurance number. In addition to this, your personal adviser will support you to access any savings that have been put aside for you whilst you have been in care.

Your identity

We will make sure the service is a place where everyone can achieve their full potential free from prejudice, discrimination and harassment. We will support you to purchase religious items and will help you celebrate festivals that are important to you. We celebrate all of your differences and will share events/activities with you that recognise diversity. These include: Pride, Black History Month and Religious Festivals. We will also support you in accessing your care records if this is something that you would like to do.

Your voice

We want our young people to be active members of society. We want you to help shape and develop our service - so that it is right for you. You will be able to attend our corporate parenting board to speak directly to elected members. We also hold regular care leaver forums where you can share your wishes and feelings about what the service could do better. You can also share your views via the Mind of My Own application.

Keeping updated

If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, offers and events, email us to request this at dutythroughcare@coventry.gov.uk [mailto: dutythroughcare@coventry.gov.uk]

Or subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter – Through Care: Connect [http://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_290]. This shares the latest job vacancies, events and activities, as well as lots of information and advice to make the most out of life.

We would love to have you follow our social media too:

ThroughCare Coventry | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/throughcarecoventry]

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children And Young (UASC)

As a service we are proud to support more than 200 young people - who have come to the UK as unaccompanied asylum seekers. We want to make sure that all of our unaccompanied young people feel welcome in Coventry and that they have the support to feel safe and happy here. As an unaccompanied young person, you will be entitled to the same support that is mentioned on the first page of our website - however, some of this may differ depending on your asylum status.

Our Local Offer

As an unaccompanied young person, once you become a looked after child you will be provided with a copy of our local offer and this will give you an overview of the support on offer to you. We have a specific Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child local offer [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/43363/care-leaver-offer-for-uasc], which aims to be more specific to your needs. However, what does not change is the fact that your Social Worker will work with you until you turn 18 and after which you will be supported by your Personal Adviser - who will help you in the below areas.

Your home

You will be able to access your setting up home grant until the age of 21 - if you are granted asylum. If your asylum claim is delayed you will be able to access this and other entitlements up until your 25th birthday as long as it is agreed in your pathway plan. If you are claiming asylum or appealing a refusal we will fund the cost of your accommodation up until the age of 21. Once you have been granted asylum your Personal Adviser will work closely with you to support you into a home that is right for you.

Your relationships

We want to make sure that you have a wide support network now that you are living in the UK. We want to ensure that the people around you are helpful, supportive and safe. We can complete a referral to our Lifelong Links [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/lifelong-links/lifelong-links-guide] service for you and they will support you to reconnect with significant people in your life. We will also ensure that (with your consent) you are referred to the Family Tracing service to help locate your family members. As well as this, when and where possible we will support you to spend time with any family who are living in the UK.

The immigration and asylum process

We appreciate how difficult and complicated the asylum process may be and In light of this we want to make sure that you are well supported. As mentioned above, if you are claiming asylum or appealing a refusal we will fund the cost of your accommodation up until the age of 21. You may also be entitled to a weekly allowance whilst you await the outcome of your asylum application and have no recourse to public funds (again up until the age of 21). As well as this, you will also be supported by your Personal Adviser to attend your asylum interviews and other immigration appointment.

Your finances

Once you arrive in the UK you may be able to access a one-off clothing grant of £100. This is to ensure you have sufficient clothing that is appropriate for the weather. You will also be provided with a basic smartphone when you first come into care - to ensure that you can contact people who are important to you. In addition to this, you will be able to access your other care leaver entitlements once you are granted refugee status and may also be able to claim any savings that were kept for you whilst you were in care.

Your education and employment

Upon coming into care, you will be supported to access education in your local area. We have lots of young people who are currently completing a variety of courses (including ESOL) with partner agencies such as Coventry College and the Refugee and Migrant Centre. Once you have been granted asylum your Personal Advisor will support you to explore employment and training opportunities and you may be referred to our employment panel. Once you turn 18 you will be able to access 6 months of free internet through the National Databank. You will also be supported to access any basic equipment for your education, employment and training.

Your identity

We are committed to supporting you in exploring, sharing and celebrating your identity. We will support you in purchasing religious items and will help you celebrate festivals that are important to you. This could include prayer mats and religious texts. We hold regular events for you to take part in and want you to share more about your culture - all of our young people are invited to these and it includes (but is not limited to): Newroz celebrations, Tết celebrations and Eid celebrations. In addition to this, whilst you are under the age of 21 you will be able to access a holiday allowance to help you celebrate the festival of your choice.

Your health and wellbeing

You and a guest can access free sports facilities across the city - including the Wave Gym. You will be supported to register for health services in the UK and you will have access to the 'AskJan' service which offers 24-hour wellbeing support. Additional support in this area is available through our partner agencies such as the Refugee and Migrant Centre and your Personal Adviser can support you with any referral for this.

Young people in custody

Our local offer

We understand that every young person's journey through care and leaving care is different. If you are a young person who is in custody you will still be able to access our local offer and we have a specific Custody Offer [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/43360/care-leaver-offer-for-those-in-custody] tailored to you. This aims to be more specific to your needs. However, it does not change the fact that your Social Worker will work with you until you turn 18 and after which you will be supported by your Personal Adviser - who will help you in the below areas. 

Your home

Just because you have been in custody does not mean that your accommodation will not be reviewed as part of your pathway planning. Whilst you are preparing for release your Personal Adviser will work with you to identify the most appropriate housing option for you. You will still have priority banding on HomeFinder upon your release from custody and will be able to access your setting-up home grant until the age of 21 (this can be extended to 25 if it is agreed in your pathway plan).

Your relationships

Whilst you are in custody we may be able to support your family in visiting you up to three times a year - whilst you are under the age of 21. Your Personal Advisor will also complete a referral to lifelong links [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/lifelong-links/lifelong-links-guide] for you and they can help you keep in touch with people who are important to you. In addition to this, if you would like to have continued contact with your IRO you can access their post 18 offer.

Your finances

When you first enter custody you may be able to access a one-time payment to support you settling in. You will be sent a £20 a month postal order until you reach the age of 21 and will be supported to explore how you can access any looked-after savings that have been kept for you. When you are released you may be able to access a one-time clothing grant of £50 and your Personal Advisor will support you in getting home from custody. 

Your education and employment

Whilst you are in custody your Personal Advisor will work with you and the team around you to support you in accessing education, employment or training in custody. in addition, you may be referred to our Education and Employment Panel as you approach your release date - to help explore opportunities in the community. When you are in the community, you will be able to access six months' free internet via the National Databank. 

Your identity

While in custody your Personal Adviser will support you to access photo ID if you have none. They can support you in purchasing religious items and will help you celebrate festivals that are important to you. In addition to this, if you would like to access your care records whilst you are in custody, this is something that your Personal Adviser can also support with. 

Your health

Whilst you are in custody your Personal Adviser will work with the team around you to ensure your health needs are being met. They will ensure you have a copy of your health history and they may complete an adult social care referral for you, if you need extra support once you are released.

Support after you turn 25

When you turn 25 you will no longer have an allocated Personal Adviser. However, you are not 'closed' to our service. Just because you no longer have an allocated worker does not mean that you can no longer contact us and our offer of support will always be there - it is just different in what it looks like.

What happens next?

When you turn 25 your allocated Personal Advisor will complete a 'stepping back' visit with you and celebrate all of the amazing things you have achieved. You will also receive a letter from your allocated worker, which will include their 'memories' of you and how proud they are of the person you have become.

Where to go for support

As mentioned above, now you are 25 the support that you will receive from Through Care will be different and will consist of advice and guidance. To access this you can contact us on the below details and a duty Social Worker or Personal Adviser will support you. In addition to this, you are also welcome to attend our drop-in sessions which occur bi-weekly at Broadgate House (address listed below). These are on the second floor and take place on Mondays and Thursdays - 12noon until 4:30pm.

Other services that you could contact to access support are:

• Home Page - Become (becomecharity.org.uk) [https://becomecharity.org.uk/]
• Home | Catch22 (catch-22.org.uk) [https://www.catch-22.org.uk/]
• Rees Foundation - The Rees Foundation | Life-long support for care leavers [https://www.reesfoundation.org/]

Care Leaver Awards

We are so proud of all of our young people and we love celebrating your achievements. In light of this, we hold an annual celebration event often referred to as the 'Care Leaver Awards'. As long as you are a Coventry Care Leaver and aged between 16-25 you are invited. It is always a great event and an opportunity for us all to celebrate together.

Each year we give out awards in various different categories:

Care leaver of the year

This award recognises young people who have made Outstanding Achievements in the year.

Sports hero

This award recognises young people involved in competitive and/or non-competitive, individual or team sports.

Community Champion

This award recognises young people who have made a positive contribution to the city of Coventry.

Heart of Gold Award

This awards recognises young people who have shown tremendous support and love/care.

Determined to Learn

This recognises a young people and their commitment to learning.

Future leader

Is an award for young people who demonstrated a commitment to their personal development and have shown leadership skills.

Job and Enterprise Award

Is awarded to a young person who has shown determination, commitment and motivation in work or business.

Inspirational Award

Is awarded to a young person who has shown ambition, aspiration, resilience and remained focussed despite any barriers they have faced.

To ensure your awards evening is as amazing as you are, we have some help from the below organisations:

Sponsors

• EON [https://www.eonenergy.com/]
• Positive Youth Foundation [https://positiveyouthfoundation.org/]
• Rees Foundation [https://www.reesfoundation.org/]
• Valpak [https://www.valpak.co.uk/]

Donations

• Coventry City Football Club [https://www.ccfc.co.uk/]
• Coventry Blaze [https://www.coventryblaze.co.uk/]
• Fresh Fire Media [http://www.freshfiremedia.com]
• Bombay Palace [http://www.bombaypalacecoventry.co.uk/]
• Sweet Spot [https://www.sweetspotdesserts.uk/]
• National Trust [https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/]

We can not wait to see you again and/or welcome you to your first awards. This year our awards will be held on 8 November 2024 - so please contact your Social Worker, Personal Adviser or the Duty Team for more information about this.