Supporting you on your journey!
Your right to Support
You have a right to a needs assessment before you leave care which can be incorporated into your Pathway Plan, the plan should include your views and wishes and it should consider your independent living skills and ability to manage your own finances. The aim of the Pathway Plan is to ensure that you leave at a time that is right for you. You should have a copy and discuss it with your social worker or Young Persons Advisor.
Your pathway plan should’ve been started around your 15th birthday with your contributions, and it should reflect something you agree with. This should make clear what help you will get when preparing to leave care and what support you will receive after you have left.
The Pathway Plan should say how your Local Authority will help you achieve the things you want in life, such as:
- Accommodation
- Educational achievements
- Training
- Finances
- Getting a job etc
You should be allocated a Young Persons Advisor until you are 21 and offered on-going support until you are 25 if necessary. This could be your current social worker or a Young Persons Advisor from the ‘Leaving Care Team. It is their job to keep in touch with you, check that you are alright and help you get what you need. To do this, they must make sure that your Pathway Plan is followed and reviewed with you at least every six months.
Your rights in decision making
You have a right to be involved in all major decisions about you, including when you leave care, where you will live and what support you receive. Decisions should always be made with you, giving you enough time to have your say. Your views should be taken seriously and if you cannot have what you want, this should be explained to you with evidence of why not.
Your Right to view your Records
The law says that you have a right to see information that is written about you, This includes social services files. You can request access to your files either directly through contacting Children’s Services or discuss it with your social worker or Young Persons Advisor about how to do this.
Click here to find out how Bromley can support you financially, when you leave care:
Click here to find out what emotional support is available to you when you leave care
If you’re a young parent, click here!