You and your support

Supporting you to be the best parent you can be

Having a child is a really happy, exciting but scary time. We understand from listening to you and other care leavers nationally that you experience more disadvantages, whether that's feeling judged by others or fear of accessing some services. When faced by the emotional and practical challenges that come with being or becoming a parent, that's when we want to offer strengthened support to our care leavers who are parents or parents to be.

Our charter for care experienced parents

As corporate parents we are committed to supporting mothers and fathers who are in care, or in the process of leaving care.

This sets out what we will do to help you plan for being a parent, how we will support when you become a parent and what we will do to challenge stigma and disadvantage.

Before you become a parent

We will discuss sex and healthy relationships with you, and make sure you have access to family planning advice and contraception. We would like you to start a family at a time that is right for you. We can help you prepare for being a parent. This could involve opportunities to learn about caring for babies and children, mentoring and advice from parenting role models (such a foster carers) and providing support to help you work through your thoughts and feelings about the parenting that you experienced.

When you are expecting a child or become a parent

During pregnancy, the health and wellbeing of expectant mothers and babies is our priority. We are also committed to supporting the wellbeing and inclusion of fathers.

Individual needs and circumstances are different. Some parents will need little support, while others will need more help.

Your personal adviser will support you to attend health appointments for you and your baby if you need this and help you apply for things such as healthy start vouchers.

We promise to listen to you, to be honest with you and to work with you to make sure:

• You have the things you need - including a place to live, money and essential items.
• You know your rights and entitlements - including benefits, grants and resources in your local authority.
• You know what to do - this could include how to change a nappy or bath a baby, when you need to seek medical advice or how to register for a school place, a dentist or optician. This support will be on-going, because what you will need to know will change as your child gets older.

Parenting can be rewarding but also challenging. We promise to work with you so that you know:

• Who is available to support you - we will make sure you know who you can contact if you need advice and support, even in the middle of the night or on weekends.
• What services and support are available in your local authority or local area - we will discuss these options with you and help you to attend if you would like to. This will include services available to all parents as well as those specifically available for care-experienced parents.
• Your personal adviser can offer support to you to register your baby when they are first born - if this is something that you would like.
• We will also cover the cost of your baby's first scan and will ensure that you have photo ID.

We will make sure you can have a break (if you want a break). This could be time for a rest, or time to pursue hobbies and interests, and we will make sure you can access our leisure centres and gyms.

We can help you plan for your future. We will support you to continue your education, access training or employment. This could include providing careers advice and guidance, and practical help with childcare, transport, and other things you need. Your personal adviser will support you in searching and applying for school and nursery provisions. They will also support you in exploring your maternity/paternity pay entitlements.

Challenging stigma and discrimination

We know that you and other parents in and leaving care, can experience stigma and disadvantage. This is unacceptable. We will:

• Make available resources that challenge unhelpful assumptions about parents in and leaving care.
• Make clear that referrals to Children's Services based only on care status or history are unacceptable. This is discrimination. Concerns about parenting should only be made when there is evidence of risk. Our leaders in Corporate Parenting will be championing your rights as care leavers to combat this.

If concerns are raised about parenting, we will make sure:

• You have access to advocacy and legal advice.
• Your care history and records are not used against you. If a parenting assessment is needed, we promise to support you and make sure you are assessed as you are now and not how you were in the past.
• You are treated fairly and your rights are respected. Where you and your family are worried about being given a fair assessment, we will discuss options with you such as recording discussions with social workers or being assessed by an independent social worker.

We will support you to respond to concerns about parenting. This will involve making sure:

• You understand what is happening and what plans are in place.
• Your opinions are heard and included.
• You have access to support to address concerns and demonstrate change. This could include support with housing, mental health or counselling, relationship or parenting courses and drug/alcohol services.

If you are living apart from children

Parents may be separated from children for a range of reasons. This could include situations where there are no concerns about parenting (such as when children are living with another parent), as well as when children have been removed on a temporary or permanent basis.

Whatever the circumstances, we will support you in building and maintaining a relationship with your child. Depending on the situation, this support may be practical (for example assisting you to see and spend time with your child), financial (such as travel costs), emotional (for example discussing your thoughts and feelings) and ensuring you have access to advocacy or legal advice (for example to make sure your rights to see your child are respected).

If your child has been removed, we will not abandon you and will never give up on you. We will take time to support you and help you deal with the practical, financial, and emotional implications. This could include supporting you through the legal proceedings, attending meetings, dealing with housing issues, managing benefit changes, as well as coping with grief and loss.

We will support you to build and maintain a relationship with your child, even if this is through letter-box contact. The commitments laid out in this charter still apply to you and when you are ready, we will support you in planning your future.

Finally, we are your corporate parents, doing our best to support parents in and leaving care is important to us. We promise to make this support available to parents up to the age of 25 and we expect to be challenged if we fail in our responsibilities.

We also promise to keep reviewing how we are doing and will continue to work with parents, services and charities to make sure parents in and leaving care are well supported and treated fairly.

Baby Steps - Home Start

We have collaborated with Home Start who deliver a package of support from one of their local volunteers who want to support care experienced parents become parents. This programme is called Baby Steps and all Herefordshire based care leavers can access this support up until the age of 25, including our dad's to be. Our collective aim is to empower and work alongside you to offer additional, informed and tailored support which will help you become the best parents you can be. Support is offered through befriending, advocacy and mentorship.

Your personal adviser (PA) and Baby Steps worker are there to walk alongside you, offering gentle, practical support tailored to your needs. Whether you're navigating parenthood, building confidence, or simply looking for someone to talk to - we're here.

How we can help

• Boost your wellbeing and confidence - We offer a safe, confidential space to listen, encourage, and help you discover what works best for you.
• Ease feelings of isolation - We can support you to attend family groups, connect with others in your community, and even help with transport to appointments or activities.
• Strengthen parenting skills - Together, we'll explore routines, life skills, and ways to nurture happy, healthy relationships with your children.
• Support your journey into work, education or training - We'll help with applications, explore opportunities, and assist in finding childcare that fits your needs.
• Help you maintain your home - Whether it's moving house, managing day-to-day tasks, or budgeting - we're here to support you in keeping things stable.

Flexible, friendly support

Support is offered in a way that suits you - at home, over the phone, or out in the community. You can choose to work with a trained volunteer, a paid worker, join peer support groups (including trips and activities), or access Direct Dad Support. Whether you'd like weekly contact or occasional check-ins, we'll go at your pace.

Referrals and getting involved

Your PA will talk to you about referring you for support when they become aware of your change in circumstance. You're welcome to refer yourself, or someone who knows and supports you - like a Midwife, personal adviser, or Health Visitor can refer on your behalf.

This project is guided by a multi-agency Steering Group made up of Home Start, Herefordshire Council and other voluntary and statutory organisations.

The project is proudly funded by Herefordshire Community Foundation, with research and evaluation carried out by Warwick Business School. We want to use this research to help local authorities and organisations nationally learn what works well to help care experienced young people thrive on their parenting journey.