16+ Service

If young people remain in care until they are 16 they will transfer to the 16+ Service after they have completed year 11. A leaving care worker will be allocated to develop a pathway plan with the young person to say how Children and Young People’s Service will meet the young person’s specific needs in preparation for the time the young person leaves care covering areas such as health, education, accommodation and how this will be paid for.  This will also be the case for unaccompanied young people who become eligible for leaving care services.

The 16+ Service supports, advises and befriends young people who are preparing to leave or have left the care of the local authority. The leaving care workers are from different backgrounds and have a variety of skills and knowledge. They share a drive and commitment to help make the lives of young people leaving care better. They assist young people to identify their own needs by working in partnership, and treating young people with respect. They work towards developing positive relationships that enable and empower young people to gradually work towards independence.

Young people aged 16 to 21 who are either still looked after or were looked after at least 13 weeks since the age of 14. If they are in further or higher education after their 21st birthday, we will continue to offer support up to the age of 24.

Our aim is to make sure young people are provided with opportunities to develop their skills to cope with adult responsibilities, including:

We do this in partnership with other sections of Children and Young People’s Service and other agencies including Connexions, Health, Housing and Voluntary Organisations such as the Princes Trust.

We provide financial support to 16 and 17 year olds, the level of support will be arranged with the young person through discussion and by carrying out an assessment of their financial needs.

When the time is right for a young person to move on to independence, we help them to do this by providing them with a grant to set up home and get the most suitable accommodation to meet their needs. We provide information to young people so that they can access services and make decisions about their future.

The service is developed through consultation. We are always interested in listening to what young people have to say, as this helps us get things right. We value the views and experience that care leavers have and we help them build on these so that they can achieve what they want in life.

The 16+ Service consults with care leavers through its young peoples group whose views and opinions are incorporated into the team's service planning processes.