Article: Leaving care
Article Body
The council is required to provide ongoing services to young people between the ages of 16 and 21 (24 if they remain in full time education) when they are preparing to leave or have left our care.
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 placed a duty on councils to provide young people leaving care aged 16-21 with:
- an assessment of need, a pathway plan and regular six monthly reviews
- an allocated young person's adviser who will maintain contact with young people and offer general advice, guidance and support
- financial support for young people aged 16-18
- suitable accommodation for young people aged 16-18 and for young people at university.
The Future Directions team provides this service in Barnsley. They work across the borough and provide a range of accessible services and support networks for young people leaving the care system. The service is for young people who were received into care by Barnsley, as well as young people who may live in Barnsley having been placed in children's homes or with foster carers by another authority.
The project supports young people in the transition to adulthood and ensures that they are provided with and are able to respond to opportunities to participate socially and economically as citizens.
The following services are offered by the project:
- 1-1 project worker support - assessment of need, pathway plan, safeguarding assessments for all care leavers eligible for a service
- assessment of and support with education, training and employment needs undertaken by Connexions personal assistants
- daily duty service and drop in
- group work, including life skills, tenancy support, financial literacy, food clubs
- support with accommodation, including supported lodging scheme
- a range of social and leisure activities
- community support
- personal support identified by and relevant to the young person's assessed needs.
The Future Directions team is based at Temperance
House, Pitt Street, Barnsley and is available between 9am and
5pm.
Telephone: 01226 770902
All young people are referred to the service by their social worker via their Child in Care Review and there is no direct access to the service for members of the public.
How to contact us
Service Manager, Fieldwork, Localities and Family Support
Directorate for Children, Young People and Families
Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG
Telephone: 01226 775656 from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to
Friday
Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk
Future Directions
Temperence House
Pitt Street
Barnsley S70 1AL
Telephone: 01226 770902