Useful links
There are a number of organisations that provide support and advice to care leavers.
Become
Become provides help, support and advice to children in care and young care leavers, so that they can take control of their lives and unleash their potential.
Telephone: 0800 023 2033
Become also run a free and friendly help and advice line
The Care Leavers’ Association
The Care Leavers’ Association provides advice and information about leaving care and your rights and entitlements.
Telephone: 0161 236 5665
Citizens advice bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau helps people to resolve their legal, money, and other problems by providing free, independent, and confidential advice and influencing policy makers. Some branches can provide legal advice on immigration and asylum cases.
Telephone: 0300 330 5457
Catch 22
Catch 22 works with young people who are in or leaving custody, involved in or on the fringes of crime, out of work, struggling at school, homeless or facing young parenthood without the safety net of a supportive family. Catch 22 offers practical support services which are flexible, highly personalised and often intensive.
Comments and complaints
We want to hear your views about our services, good or bad. What you tell us helps us improve services and plan for the future.
Leicestershire County Council complaints and comments
Community Legal Advice service
Community Legal Advice (CLA) is a free and confidential advice service in England and Wales paid for by legal aid. If you are living on a low income or benefits, you may be eligible for free specialist advice from legal advisers on issues including:
- debt - if your home is at risk
- housing - if you’re homeless or at risk of being evicted
- domestic abuse
- separating from an abusive partner, when you’re making arrangements for children or sorting out money and property
- special education needs
- discrimination
Telephone: 0345 345 4 345
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions provides information on finding jobs and accessing benefits.
Missing people
Missing People is a free phone confidential service for anyone who has run away from home or care, or been forced to leave home.
National Youth Advocacy Service
The National Youth Advocacy Service is a UK charity providing children's rights and socio-legal services. NYAS offers information, advocacy, legal representation and advice to children and young people up to the age of 25 through a network of advocates.
Telephone: 0808 808 1001
Ofsted
Ofsted is the national regulator that ensures local authorities are delivering the best possible outcomes for children in care and care leavers. You can view reports of how Leicestershire County Council performs when delivering services for looked after children and care leavers.
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
You don’t have to be suicidal.
The have a free and confidential service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Howard League
The Howard League provides free, independent and confidential advice, assistance and representation on a wide range of issues to young people under 21 years old in custody.
Telephone: 0808 801 0308
The Rees Foundation
The Rees Foundation supports care leavers and care experienced individuals across the UK. They champion services, projects and interventions with and for care experienced people. They empower and inspire others to effect social change and improve support, policy, practice, interventions.
Corum Voice
Corum Voice will help you if you are in care, leaving care have a need a social worker. We will get your voice heard, tell you about your rights, give you the support you need through our advocates and work with you to improve the care systems.
The Mix
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.
Care leaver covenant
Care leaver covenant is an inclusion programme that supports care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently.