How the Care Leavers' Service supports you

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We help you get ready for adult life and support you after you leave care up to age 25.

What we do

We:

  • listen to you and support your goals
  • help you shape our service by joining the Care Council or Care Leavers’ Forum
  • make sure your personal adviser (PA) builds a long-term relationship with you
  • support your health and wellbeing
  • help you feel safe in your accommodation
  • give you access to mental health support
  • help you stay in touch with people who matter to you
  • work with other agencies so they understand your needs
  • work with housing teams to help you find and keep a home
  • support you with education, training and employment
  • keep in touch until you are 21, or 25 if you want

How we support you

We have 7 teams across Surrey:

  • North West: Runnymede, Surrey Heath, Woking
  • South West: Guildford, Waverley
  • North East: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Spelthorne
  • South East: Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley
  • 3 asylum teams: work with young people 18+ who have claimed or are waiting for asylum decisions

Your PA can help with:

  • housing options
  • education, training, work and wider ambitions
  • health services
  • money and budgeting
  • relationships

Your personal adviser (PA) is also someone you can talk to when you need support.

Tailored support

Your PA helps you prepare for independent living and gives advice after you leave care.

Mental health

Mindworks Surrey offers mental health support for care leavers aged 16 to 25. Staff specialise in supporting care leavers and asylum-experienced care leavers.

Find out more about mental health support for care leavers on the Mindworks Surrey website.

Education and jobs

The Surrey Virtual School has an adviser who gives career advice to care leavers aged 18 to 25. Speak to your PA for details.

Homelessness prevention

Two homelessness prevention officers work with PAs and care leavers to prevent homelessness. They meet with care leavers, landlords and housing teams to make sure you have a safe place to stay.

We work with housing departments in and outside Surrey and follow the Joint Housing Protocol for Care Leavers.
Ask your PA to make referrals early so we can help you keep or find accommodation.

For more information, email homelessprevention.duty@surreycc.gov.uk

You can also contact duty.deskleavingcare@surreycc.gov.uk.

How we plan and improve our service

Our work is guided by the care leaver’s service plan. This plan is shaped by the Corporate Parenting Board and the Corporate Parenting Operational Group. They make sure we do our best to help you feel safe, supported and ready for your future.

Read about the Corporate Parenting Board - how we support you.

Translations

Disclaimer: as the translations linked above are provided by Google Translate, Surrey County Council cannot be held responsible for their accuracy.

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