What is the local offer for care leavers?

If you've left care or you're about to leave care, this local offer explains what services are available to you in Hertfordshire.

Under the Children and Social work Act 2017, we have a duty to:

help care leavers until they're 25 years old, even if they're not in education
produce a local offer, explaining what help is available.

Not sure if you're a care leaver? Answer a few questions on the Coram Voice website to find out what your legal status is and what you're entitled to.

You'll get a range of help to live independently after leaving our care:

Your personal advisor (PA) Your pathway plan (PWP) Our pledge to you What your local councils can help with Other organisations that can help Access your information

Your personal advisor (PA)

When you turn 18, your social worker will be replaced by a personal advisor. To help you transition to independent living, they will:

provide advice whenever you need it
review your pathway plan to make sure you're getting the right support
help you access any services you need, like counselling or financial assistance
contact you at least once every 2 months to see how you're doing
check that your accommodation is suitable
help you move to new accommodation and visit you within a week to check it's ok.

Please let your PA know if:

your contact details change, like your address or mobile number, so they can stay in touch
you have a problem, like missing a rent payment, so they can help before things get worse
you can't attend an appointment, so they can re-arrange or find another way to help you.

Your pathway plan (PWP)

Your PWP document sets out what you need after leaving care, what help you'd like from us or from other people and what you can do for yourself.

You'll be involved in creating your PWP, to make sure you find it helpful and your views are heard. When it's finished, we'll ask you to sign it and we'll give you a copy.

We'll complete your first PWP within 3 months of your 16th birthday and review it at least every 6 months. If you'd like an earlier review, ask your PA.

Your PWP includes goals and milestones for:

accommodation
practical life skills, including money management
education and training
employment
financial support, including anything in addition to your weekly allowance or rent payment
specific support needs
contingency plans if you're unable to live independently.

More information is available from Become - the charity for young care leavers.

Our care leavers pledge

This is our pledge (or promise) to you (PDF 172KB)Opening in a new window.

We want the same for you as we want for our own young people – the best. The statements in the pledge apply to everyone up to the age of 21.

The statements are based on what Hertfordshire care leavers said was important to them. The things in the pledge should happen for you. If they don’t, you can use this booklet to challenge your rights.

What your local councils can help with

There are 3 levels of local government in Hertfordshire. Each level is responsible for different things:

Hertfordshire County Council (us)

We provide adults' and children's social care. Contact us if you can't get through to your personal advisor and you need help. We also provide services like transport, education and libraries.

More about what we do.

District and borough councils can help you with:

Getting priority social housing or reporting problems with your council house.
Problems with neighbours.
Bin collections.
Sport and leisure facilities.
Council tax.

More about district and borough council services.

Parish, town and community councils are responsible for things like allotments, play areas and bus shelters.

More about parish, town and community councils.

Other organisations that can help

National Youth Advocacy Service

Independent advocacy can help you get your voice heard when decisions are being made about you.

Care Leavers Association

Projects to improve your health, help you learn new skills and get on with life.

Children in Care Council (CHICC)

A chance to meet other young people in care or leaving care and to have your say on children's services in Hertfordshire.

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What is the local offer for care leavers?

Your personal advisor (PA)

Please let your PA know if:

Your pathway plan (PWP)

Our care leavers pledge

What your local councils can help with

Other organisations that can help

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