Care leavers - Print version

Through Care: for Looked After Children and Care Leavers

Who are we and what do we do?

Through Care provides social work and personal advice to young people from 12 to 25. Our social workers and personal advisers work with young people, as agreed in their Pathway Plan. 

Through Care Local Offer [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/29100/through_care_local_offer]

Education

Any time can be a tricky time but we recognise that secondary school can be very difficult: relationships, school, home life and also working out who you are and what you want from life. We use your PEP (personal education plan) to make it easier and smooth the path for you. We won’t do it all for you, but we will be with you every step of the way.

We also offer excellent career advice and support right through to university, or if you prefer to work straight away, we can help with apprenticeships and training opportunities. We work with partners across the city and beyond to get you on the employment ladder.

What’s next?

Your Social Worker will stay with you until you turn 18 and then you will be introduced to your Personal advisor. The relationship will change because at 18, you’re an adult and we want you to make more decisions – you’re in the driving seat, we’re just here to keep you on the road!

Becoming an adult can be a tricky time. Things like leaving school, finding a job, starting a relationship, setting up home and becoming a parent don't always happen in order. Young people can become adult in one area but not in others. For many young people, becoming an adult can be extended and delayed until they are emotionally and financially ready and they have the qualifications they need and want. Young people from care may not have this option.

Care leavers should expect the same level of care and support that others would expect from a reasonable parent. We help make sure that care leavers have the opportunities they need, which will include offering them more than one chance as they grapple with taking on the responsibilities of adulthood.

Money Matters

The general principle to be applied when making financial decisions is that the Local Authority should act as a 'good parent'. Young people should be made aware of the decision making, that it will be different for each person, and that we look for best value. The videos below have some advice from our ‘local experts!’

• Download the NCAS care entitlements. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/2957/care-entitlements-ncas]
• Download the latest guide to money matters for care leavers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/35588/leaving_care_guide_to_money_matters].

If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, offers and events, email us to request a Facebook link.

ThroughCareService@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:ThroughCareService@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 and calendar events, as well as lots of information and advice to make the most out of life.

Guide to Money Matters for 16-17 year olds

Guide to Money Matters for 18-21 year olds

Guide to Money Matters for over 21 year olds

Care Leavers Awards event - “This is me”

As a Council, we are a Corporate Parent to over 700 children and 400 care leavers, many of whom have had a chaotic or traumatic start to their lives.

These awards celebrate the achievement of our young people aged between 16 and 25 years old. Like any parent we have big aspirations for our children and young people and are immensely proud of their incredible achievements. This is why we bring young people, carers, support staff and organisations together to celebrate them.

Sponsors

A big thank you to the organisations below who signed up to sponsor the Care Leaver Awards.

• EON [https://www.eonenergy.com/]
• Positive Youth Foundation [https://positiveyouthfoundation.org/]
• Rees Foundation [https://www.reesfoundation.org/]
• Expectation TV [https://www.expectationtv.com/]
• Key 2 [https://www.horizoncare.co.uk/accommodations/coventry-project/]
• Valpak [https://www.valpak.co.uk/]

Donations from

• 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/]
• The Den Partnership
• National Trust [https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/]

Categories

Care leaver of the year

This award recognises those 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. You may wish to nominate a young person who has proved to be an outstanding team player or has achieved great things through sport and physical activity. It may be that the young person has overcome personal challenges through a passion for sport.

Community Champion

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

Heart of Gold Award

To recognise a young person who has shown tremendous support and love/care.

Determined to Learn

To recognise a young person for their commitment to learning e.g. had excellent attendance; shown determination or achieved results that were better than expected.

Future leader

To recognise a young person who has demonstrated a commitment to their personal development and shown skills of leadership.

Job and Enterprise Award

To recognise a care leaver who has shown determination, commitment and motivation in work or business.

Inspirational Award

To recognise a young person who has shown ambition, aspiration, resilience and remained focussed despite the barriers they have faced.