Individual work

As young people actually leave care, they are assigned a leaving care worker whose job it is to help them grow towards independence, and ensure they have as much support and advice possible to achieve their ambitions and do well.

Working on these issues the Leaving Care worker is trying to help the young person achieve the following by the time they are 21:

  • be living in stable, suitable accommodation
  • have sorted out their money and be able to manage their finances
  • be in some form of education, training or employment
  • be registered and plugged into primary health care services and know how to access more specialist health services
  • have some leisure and social interests
  • have some networks of support in the community other than “care” or “ex care” links
  • have understood issues as to why they were in care in the first place, and if appropriate helped them re-establish some ongoing relationship with their natural families
  • have helped the young person develop sufficient confidence and self-esteem so that they feel able themselves to face the future positively