You and your support

Care leavers over 21 - we're always here for you

We always want to be here for you and support you but it may look different when you turn 21.

We'll continue to be here for you, but by the time you reach 21, we hope you'll feel confident enough to begin stepping back from regular support. Ideally, by this stage, you'll be settled in safe accommodation, connected to the right services, registered with a GP, and managing independent life with growing confidence.

If you're not quite there yet, that's okay - we'll work together to review your needs and agree on the best support moving forward.

About six months before your 21st birthday, your personal adviser (PA) will meet with you to talk through what changes might happen after you turn 21. Together, you'll identify any areas where you still need support to help you feel ready for life without an allocated worker.

This conversation will explore:

• What's currently going on in your life
• Your health and whether any additional services are needed
• Your housing situation and whether it's secure long-term
• Your education or employment goals and any extra help you might need
• Your social connections - because having people to turn to, celebrate with, and spend time with really matters

Turning 21 doesn't mean your connection with us ends.

If you, your worker, and their manager agree that you're ready to move forward with less support, your personal adviser will celebrate this milestone with you. They'll explain how we'll stay in touch and add a summary to your record highlighting your progress, achievements, and any future needs.

Even after 21, we'll continue to check in with you at least once a year to see how things are going at home, in education, or at work. You'll always be welcome at our hubs and invited to join any events or groups we run.

While some things may shift when you turn 21, please know that support doesn't stop there. If you find yourself needing a little extra help between the ages of 21 and 24, we're here - and ready to walk alongside you.

We warmly encourage you, your family, friends, or any professionals working with you to reach out if you feel you could use more support. Whether it's a quick check-in or something more involved, we'll take time during every visit or call to understand what you need - be it general advice, guidance, or more focused support for a period of time. If you agree, this may include creating or updating your Pathway Plan together.

We know how important it is to have reliable, relationships with people you trust. That's why your last PA will remain your key point of contact. You're always welcome to call, message, or email them whenever you need. And because we work as a team, if your key worker isn't available, someone else from our service will be there to help such as our duty personal adviser.

Please contact us on our Duty Number 07792882327 or 01432 260665. Alternatively, you can email careleavers@Herefordshire.gov.uk

We also can be found via Facebook and Instagram – please talk to your P.A so they can share with you the link and follow us for lots of info on useful information and advice and events you can be part of locally and nationally as a care leaver.

Keeping in touch higher education

If you are in Higher Education (HE), such as university, we are more involved with you until you finish your course. It is expected that you and your PA agree a frequency of contact throughout the year, and they will make sure this is agreed by their manager. This is normally every 12 weeks. We will visit and contact you more when you need us to.

It is very important to us that you succeed in your studies, and we would want to know if you were struggling, so that we could help to resolve any issues with you. Your PA will support you in ensuring all the financial documentation is completed and that you have everything in place to complete your studies. You will still require a Pathway Plan review every six months.

Turning 25 – Our "Always Here" offer for care leavers

No matter your age, there are times when a helping hand or a familiar face makes all the difference. We're always here for you.

You won't have a Pathway Plan or allocated PA but we will have an open door for you to get in touch and let us know how life is going. You might want to share special events such as starting a family, completing a college or university course, or getting married. You might be dealing with tougher situations, such as leaving custody or managing financial strain. As your corporate parent we are still here to help you and will offer advice and guidance to support you find your way. Our Duty PA or your previous PA will help depending on your circumstances and your wishes. The support will be flexible to your individual needs and no set frequency for contact will be needed.

If you experience a crisis and you do not know where to turn to you can give us a call and we will signpost you to the right services. If you want general advice, you are welcome to contact us or pop into our Union Street Office, and we will help. We never give up on our young people and that doesn't change just because you turn 25.

Care leavers support group

We know that at times life can be lonely and it can help to speak to other care leavers facing the same challenges. We want to set up a support group in Herefordshire where you can shape how often you meet and where. If you are interested, please make contact with our Participation Service Manager, Jaswinder McAndrew at Jaswinder.mcandrew@herefordshire.gov.uk or call 01432 383171.