Gateshead's Local Offer for care leavers
Gateshead has your back - the care leavers app
Download the care leavers app and stay informed on your rights and entitlements, access a directory of services and get information on events. Available free on the App Store (opens new window) and on Google Play (opens new window), just search for 'Gateshead has your back'.
For more information please phone the Children's Rights and Engagement Team on 0191 433 2647 or email rights@gateshead.gov.uk
Contents
1. What is the Local Offer to care leavers?
2. The support we must give you by law
3. What does the Gateshead Leaving Care Team do?
4. What you can expect from your corporate parents
5. What is the role of the Personal Advisor (PA)
Section A: Health and wellbeing
Section C: Your important documents
Section E: Employment, education and training
Section G: Participation in society and your local community
7. Where to get further information
Introduction
Under the Children and Social Work Act 2017 (opens new window), the Government introduced the requirement for local authorities to publish their Local Offer for care leavers.
The offer outlines the services for Gateshead care leavers available within the local authority area. This offer is a combines statutory entitlements with information regarding how, with our partners, we can support care leavers over and above the statutory duty. Please note that the local offer is for Gateshead care leavers ONLY and does not yet apply to care leavers from other local authorities who are living in Gateshead (each local area will have their own local offer).
We've worked with young people and partners to produce the local offer. We will continue to work with all partners to achieve the best we can for our care leavers.
It is important to get this right for our care leavers and having the right care leavers offer should give our young people:
- a smooth, planned transition when leaving care
- an understanding of their entitlements
- a choice of appropriate accommodation when leaving care
- a range of supported opportunities into employment and training
- an understanding of how and where to seek support
- support up to the age of 25 by the leaving care team
- support to gain access to and make the best use of services provided by us and our relevant partners
1. What is the Local Offer to care leavers?
Local authorities have a legal duty to support young people making the transition from care to adulthood. It is our responsibility to make sure you know what services are available to you, and what you can expect to receive when you leave care.
If you are leaving care, or have already left care, this doesn't mean that we don't care about you and don't want to continue to support you. We want to make sure that you feel safe and supported and know where to go for advice and help. This document will tell you about the support that Gateshead has in place for you as a care leaver. It will help you make the make the most of the services available to you so that you can make the most of your independence.
To be able to get the support set out in this document, you must have been in care for at least 13 weeks or periods totalling 13 weeks which began after you turned 14 years old, and also included some time on or after your 16th birthday. If you are not sure whether you qualify for support, you can find more information at Coram Voice or ask your social worker or personal advisor.
This document will cover the following areas:
- health and wellbeing
- finance and money
- accommodation
- employment, education and training (EET)
- relationships
- participation in society
At the end of this page there is a list of useful contact numbers that you should find helpful. Below is some important information you will need to know about the support we must give you by law, the Leaving Care Team, Personal Advisors, Pathway Plan and more.
Our Local Offer
Gateshead Council's Local Offer to our Care Experienced Young People for 2023 includes:
- allocation of a Personal Advisor (PA) when you are 16 years of age
- Council Tax exemption until age 25
- Setting Up Home Allowance of £3000 (from 1 April 2023)
- first TV license
- Winter Fuel Allowance
- employment, education and training (EET) incentives
- opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships within Gateshead Council
- higher education financial support (up to £6000 per academic year)
- contact with a Care Leaver Ambassador
- birthday allowance
- Christmas or festival allowance
- leisure card - free access to Gateshead Council leisure centres until age 25
- free travel pass for Tyne and Wear
- partnership with Sky to offer events (and connectivity bundles to those who meet the criteria - Speak to your PA).
Please note our Local Offer will be reviewed and updated every January.
2. The support we must give you by law
Through the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 (opens new window) Gateshead must provide you with the following:
- a Personal Advisor (PA), who will offer you advice and support
- suitable accommodation and financial support if you leave care before your 18th birthday
- a Pathway Plan which must be regularly reviewed with you.
Following changes introduced via the Children and Social Work Act 2017 (opens new window), you can ask for support from your PA up to the age of 25, regardless of whether you are in education or training or not.
There are also times when you may need extra support and this may be due to:
- being a young parent
- having a disability or special educational need
- being an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child with an ongoing asylum claim
- being in custody or in contact with Probation or youth offending services
- going through a difficult time
3. What does the Gateshead Leaving Care Team do?
We are your 'corporate parents', which means that it our responsibility to be good parents to all young people in our care. A good corporate parent should have the same aspirations for a child in care, or a care leaver, that any good parent would have for their own child. This means providing you with the stability and support that you need to make progress and helping you to access new opportunities and experiences that inspire you to set ambitious goals for yourself. It means celebrating your successes, but also recognising that you will sometimes make mistakes and need our help to get back on track. It also means supporting you to gain the skills and confidence to live an independent life whilst letting you know that you have someone to call on for help if the going gets tough.
The Leaving Care Team is based in the Civic Centre, Gateshead. It is part of the Corporate Parenting Service and works with young people who are aged 18+ (care leavers). Our team is made up of PAs who will support you with your journey to independence. We have a legal duty to support and assist you until you are 25.
4. What you can expect from your corporate parents
A corporate parent is an organisation or person who has special responsibilities to care for looked after children and young people, including:
- those in residential care
- those in foster care
- those in kinship care, who live with a family member other than a parent
- those who are looked after at home
Our Care Pledge says that we will:
- look after you
- treat you right
- find the right place for you
- involve you
- keep you happy and healthy
- help you get a good education
- help you get on in life
5. What is the role of the Personal Advisor (PA)?
Once you turn 18, you will no longer have a Social Worker and your PA will become your main worker and continue working with you until the age of 25, regardless of whether you are in education or training or not. A PA will be identified for you after you become 16, so you can build a relationship before they become your allocated worker.
Your PA is there to help you to prepare to live independently and be successful at this. They can offer you advice, guidance and support after you leave care. PAs will talk with you about the support that you may need and will write this support and how it will be offered to you in your Pathway Plan. The amount of support that you receive from them will depend on your needs and what you want from them.
We will try and keep the same PA allocated to you, however this can sometimes be difficult and you may wish to request a change in your worker. The relationship between you and your PA is important; make the most of them, treat them with respect and keep in touch.
6. What is a Pathway Plan?
Every young person between the ages of 16 to 25 in care or a care leaver has a Pathway Plan. Your Pathway Plan is a document that is written by your Social Worker and handed over to your PA after speaking to you and the other significant people in your life. It sets out what support and help you need, your views and what your future goals are. It will also outline exactly what support you will receive from Gateshead Council.
Your Pathway Plan will be reviewed with you every six months, or if there are any significant changes in your situation.
Section A: Health and wellbeing
Your health matters to us. Being healthy doesn't just mean eating fruit, exercising regularly and keeping your teeth clean. It also means feeling strong and well emotionally and being sexually healthy and safe. Your PA can offer you support to achieve and maintain positive health and wellbeing and we recognise that this is different for each individual. In Gateshead we will support you to recognise your own health needs and signpost you to services to meet these needs.
We also recognise that it can be very difficult leaving care and living independently and that this can often be lonely and isolating. This can have a negative impact on how you feel and cope on a day-to-day basis. There are lots of services and support out there. Read this section to find out some of the services available to you.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Help with emotional problems Your PA can offer you emotional support to talk through any feelings and problems you have and can put in strategies with you to help you cope. If you need more specialist support your PA can refer and support you to access adult mental and emotional health services. Email: counselling@streetwisenorth.co.uk Email: info@necounselling.org.uk 0800 1111 | If you are struggling with anything, speak to someone about it - don't bottle it up.
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Access to free leisure facilities If you want to access free leisure facilities within Gateshead, speak to your PA who will arrange for you to be issued with a Leisure Pass which can be used at any Gateshead Council leisure centre. | Your PA can arrange free access to leisure services for you. |
Sexual health If you need help and support with sexual health and family planning issues you will be signposted by your PA to the right local services for you that can offer you additional support and advice. For more information visit www.gatesheadsexualhealth.co.uk (opens new window) 0191 283 1577 | Keep yourself safe. If you do not use a condom you will be at risk of becoming a young parent and catching infections. |
Drug and alcohol support Platform Gateshead (opens new window) offers a range of specialist substance misuse services to under 18s: 0191 4601354 0191 5947821 0300 123 6600 / SMS to 82111 | At Gateshead Recovery we believe that everyone has the right to lead the best life they can. Our accessible services empower people to improve their health and wellbeing and take control of the direction of their lives. |
Dentist and opticians If you are receiving benefits then you will have access to free dental health care and opticians. | You should visit the dentist twice a year for cleaning and a check-up. Even if you do not have any eye problems you should have your eyes tested every two years. |
GP/doctor Your PA will support you to register with a GP and will help you to attend health appointments. A GP treats preventative illnesses and will be able to refer you to other services. | If you move it will be your responsibility to inform your GP and sign up with a different, more local GP. |
Health passports When you become a care leaver you will be given a health passport by the Looked after Children (LAC) nurse at your last statutory health check. This will contain all your available health information, like the name of your GP and dentist and any ongoing health conditions. This will be useful for accessing health services and adult services. | If you lose your health passport speak to your LAC nurse or your PA. |
Section B: Finance and money
We understand that one of the biggest concerns for care leavers is money. We can offer you financial support to make living independently that little bit less difficult. The amount of money you will get depends on your age and what type of accommodation you're in. There is a lot of information available online for care leavers and you will be able to ask your PA for more information if you need it.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Budgeting We will give you support with budgeting your money and help you learn how to budget and live independently. We can also offer you a finance education course to give you a bit more support. | If you don't know how to budget and spend your money wisely, you will really struggle when you live on your own. Not being able to budget properly may affect you in the long term. If you need more budgeting support, then speak to your PA. |
Welfare benefits When you are old enough to apply for benefits, we will help you do this. Your PA will support you to make your claim for Universal Credit (UC) on your 18th Birthday. If you have applied for benefits and are waiting to be paid, we will pay you a weekly living allowance for up to four weeks to help you live while your claim is processed. | You must attend your appointments. It is a criminal offence to lie to the benefits office. You will also need to show your PA that you have applied for benefits. If you don't attend appointments with the Job Centre and don't keep to your agreement to look for work without a good reason, your benefits may be stopped. |
Benefit options Universal Credit is a monthly payment to encourage you to get into paid work. Council Tax Exemption - All care leavers will be given 100% exemption from Council Tax until they turn 25. | Your PA will advise and support you with applying for benefits and attending appointments. |
Living allowance payments If you are unable to claim benefits or are waiting for your application to be processed, you could be offered a weekly payment (for up to 4 weeks). This payment will be the equivalent of state benefits. You will be expected to use this for all of your living costs. You will be encouraged to set up a bank account. The best way to get paid is through BACS - which is a bank transfer. The money will be paid into your account each week. | You will need to spend your Weekly Living Allowance on day-to-day essentials. You should budget this money and pay for your essentials first (food and bills). Your PA will support you to open your own bank account if you haven't done this before. |
Savings If you have been in care for a while (and you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011) you may have a savings account which you can access when you turn 18. | Depending on how long you have been in care, your savings may be quite a lot. Use this chunk of money to help you with your future and don't waste it. |
Leaving care grant We will provide you with a leaving care grant. If this is accessed after 1 April 2023 this will be up to the value of £3,000 to decorate and furnish your home. | To choose items that you really need from the recommended items list. The grant is a contribution to help you buy everything you might need when moving into your first home. |
Education incentive payment If you are in full time education you may be entitled to a bursary or incentive payment. | See the employment, education and training section for more information. |
Emergencies We understand that emergencies do happen. We will pay emergency payments or offer food packages to care leavers for the following reasons:
| Speak to your PA if you think you are entitled to food packages or you are facing an emergency. You may be asked for proof of your situation. |
Other sources of funding Some organisations help care leavers by awarding grants (which do not need to be repaid). Some grants help with university, moving into independent accommodation, financial support to help you train etc. 0161 413 7860 You can also contact Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) on 0808 278 7902. | Speak to your PA about what other funds you may be entitled to. You may apply to charities and organisations for additional grant funding if you meet their criteria. |
Section C: Your important documents
We all need important documents to do simple things like book on a course, claim benefits or open a bank account. We will make sure that you have the important documents that you need in adulthood, such as a passport and birth certificate. We will keep copies of your important documents safely on file and you will be responsible for keeping the original documents safe. If you lose any of these documents you should inform the relevant authority or discuss this with your PA immediately. Lost documents can be used for identity theft - where someone may use your name and personal information in order to obtain credit or loans for example.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
National Insurance number At 15 years and 9 months we will apply for your National Insurance number (NI number) | Your PA will support you to find this out when you turn 18. Remind your Social Worker if you do not receive this. |
Passport If you have not been provided with your first passport from Children's Services, then the Leaving Care Team will support you with an application for a passport and pay the fee for your first one. Your passport is your main source of ID. | Do not lose your passport or you will have to apply and pay for a new one which will cost you over £70. If you lose it:
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Provisional Driving Licence We will support you with an application for a provisional driving licence and pay the fee for your first one. | You cannot learn to drive without a provisional licence. If you lose your licence you will have to pay for a new one. |
Birth Certificate If you do not already have a birth certificate, we will apply for you to get one. | If you lose your documents you will have to pay for new copies. Your birth certificate is an important document. |
British citizenship If you are entitled to apply for British Citizenship before the age of 18 then we will support you to do this. | To tell us if you want to apply. We will help you with the application. |
Access to your file You have a right to see the information we keep about you. If you apply, we will provide you with a copy of your social services records. All third part information will be removed. | Think about the decision very carefully. Files can be very difficult to read. It can take some time to get a copy of your files, so please be patient. |
Section D: Accommodation
If you are aged over 18 your PA will help you find suitable accommodation.
Your PA will complete an assessment with you, to consider the most appropriate accommodation to meet your needs.
Your views will be included on the assessment. Your PA will attend a Support and Independent Living Service (SaILS) panel which is attended by managers within Social Care, supported accommodation providers and Gateshead Housing services. They will agree an accommodation option based upon your needs. Accommodation options are:
- staying put
- taster flat
- supported accommodation (24/7)
- semi-supported accommodation (12/7)
- Independent housing
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Staying put If your foster carer and you decide that you would like to remain living with them, then we will support you to do that under a staying put arrangement. This can last until you are 21. | Staying put will help you maintain a supportive relationship with your foster carers. Your Social Worker, foster carer and PA will be able to discuss this option with you. If you decide to stay, we will help you apply for independent accommodation after you are 21. |
Taster flat If it is assessed as the right option for you, a taster flat is your own but will give you the opportunity to experience living independently without the added pressure of a tenancy agreement as it is managed by the Leaving Care Team. If, after a period of time, you have been successful at managing this tenancy then we will sign it over to you completely. | |
Supported accommodation or semi-supported accommodation If it is assessed that you may not be ready for your own tenancy when you leave care and may require more supported options. Your PA will discuss these with you and help you identify one that will be suitable for you. | Make good use of your PA and Support Worker - they will help you access local services and help you connect with your local community. They are there for you. |
Independent housing If you are assessed as requiring independent accommodation where you are responsible for yourself and for paying your bills. We will support you to make an application so you can access registered social landlords. You will get a tenancy of your own. | If you do not keep on top of your bills and keep to your tenancy agreement, you may be at risk of losing your accommodation. Work with your PA who will help you with all of these things. Your bills (water, gas and electricity) can all be paid for monthly through your bank. This is often a much better option than running up bills. Make sure you know how your rent is being paid. It is your responsibility whether you are working or on benefits to ensure that your rent is paid to avoid eviction. |
University accommodation (holiday periods) We will provide you with accommodation during university holidays (or fund this if you make your own arrangements) if you cannot stay within your term time accommodation or return to your home area. |
Section E: Employment, education and training
We want to make sure that every young person leaving care is able to achieve the goals that they set in life. We want you to succeed in your education, training and employment. When we meet with you we will find out how you are doing and will celebrate achievements with you.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Careers advice and information on training and courses We also recognise that personal circumstances can impact on a person's ability to engage full time in a course or job. We can offer support to look at courses that can be tailored to your needs, explore with you what you want to achieve and help you make a realistic plan to get there. | Education, training and finding a job is your responsibility. The Leaving Care Team will support and help you, but you must be willing and give your best. |
Job search We will support you with finding employment, including help to write your CV, apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. | Interview clothing should be appropriate to the role you are applying for and not casual. Speak to your PA or Support Worker for help to apply for jobs and get ready for an interview. |
Apprenticeships As your corporate parent we take our role seriously. We are therefore making efforts to offer opportunities for apprenticeships within Gateshead Council. We have already secured apprenticeships in Business Administration and the Highways department, and we are working towards increasing the number of care leavers within the council. There will be further opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and employment within the council. | You may still be able to get Housing Benefit and other support. Talk to your PA to ensure that you are getting all the financial help available to you. |
Year 11 guarantee We will give you access to a careers guidance and information meeting which lets you know what progression pathways are available into apprenticeships, which includes CV and interview preparation workshop. | If you didn't do as well as you had expected at school, we will still get you a job with training. |
Apprenticeship guarantee Gateshead Council is one of the largest local authority providers of apprenticeships in the country. Last year we had over 1000 people on apprenticeship programmes. We will give you an guaranteed apprenticeship offer through our learningSkills (opens new window) service. This guarantee consists of:
This will give you access to the following opportunities:
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For further information, advice and guidance please contact us directly: 0191 4338727 or 07825552087 Email apprenticeships@gateshead.gov.uk or register online (opens new window) Alternatively, contact your PA to arrange an appointment with us or like/message us on Facebook to access all of our apprenticeship opportunities by searching 'learningskillsapprenticeships' or text 'JOBS' to 80818. |
Do you have a learning difficulty or disability? We will guarantee a priority application to our internship programme.
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New for 2023 We would like to give you the opportunity to come and work for us. Gateshead Council has pledged to ring fence apprenticeship vacancies within the local council for Looked after Children and care leavers. We will offer at least one employer event which will give you the opportunity to speak to employers who have pledged to support looked after children and care leavers into employment through work placements and apprenticeship opportunities. We will progress people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities into apprenticeships. | For a wide range of other learning opportunities visit Gateshead.gov.uk/learningSkills to access our course directory. |
University If you decide to go to university, we will assist you with your housing during holiday periods and provide you with extra financial support:
| There is additional support available to you if you go on to attend university. This can be from a designated person within the university who your PA will help you to identify. |
Section F: Relationships
Having relationships, both personal and professional, is important for emotional health as well as support. One of the biggest issues raised by care leavers is that of isolation. Without a strong and stable social network it can be extremely hard to navigate life after care.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Family and friends We will support you to reconnect with your family when this will be in your best interests. | |
Support networks We will support you to make contact with social support in your area which will build on the relationships within your life. | |
Healthy Relationships When relationships are healthy the person is able to grow with help and guidance through good and bad times. However, some relationships aren't always healthy and you don't need to stay in an unhealthy relationship. If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 999 straight away and ask for the police. If it is not safe for you to speak the police can still help you by using their 'Silent Solution'. Simply stay silent and press 55 when prompted. Need to talk? For advice and support, please contact our Domestic Abuse 24-hour helpline: 0191 433 3333 |
Section G: Participation in society and your local community
You have a right to be involved in all the decisions about your plans for leaving care. In Gateshead we value the participation of our care leavers within the development of services. We also want care leavers to be active members of society and the local community and to have all the chances that other young adults have.
| What we offer | What you need to remember |
|---|---|
Personal Advisor (PA) When you turn 16 a PA will be allocated to you. Your PA will keep in contact and arrange meetings with you, they will visit you at home but can also arrange to see you in the community. Your PA is there to give you advice, information and guidance to help you make the best decisions. If you are unhappy about the plans or support you get, you can speak to your PA about it. You also have a right to an advocacy service to help you say what you are not happy with and challenge any decisions. Children's Rights Officer Email: rights@gateshead.gov.uk www.nyas.net (opens new window) | Make the most of your PA and stay in contact with them. If you don't engage or speak up, decisions will be made without you. This may mean that things will happen that you do not want. Make sure you are clear about what you want - it's your life after all. |
Changing your worker In certain, exceptional circumstances you can request to change your Social Worker or PA. Ask to speak to the Leaving Care Team Manager if you wish to change your worker: Bev Hunter-Smith - 0191 433 2867 | |
Participation We want to offer you the opportunity to have your say on service improvement and delivery. You can do this by speaking with your PA or attending one of the events that we hold to consult with young people. We also ask you to complete an annual survey. | Your views are important to us. You need to speak up and tell us how we can improve the services for you now and others in the future. |
Your right to vote Once you turn 18 you are entitled to vote in local and national elections. We will encourage you and help you to enrol on the electoral roll so that you can vote in these, if you wish to. | You can make sure that your voice is heard and your vote will play an important role in shaping the government and your future. |
Citizens advice The Citizens Advice Bureau aims to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities as a member of society. | |
How to complain You have the right to complain to Gateshead if you can't solve a problem with your Social Worker, PA or their manager. You can contact the Social Care complaints team: Email: enquiries.cbs@gateshead.gov.uk |
7. Where to get further information
As a Care Leaver there are a range of support services available to you. We have put together a list of useful contact details. If there is anything you do not understand or further information you need then please speak to your PA or Social Worker.
Gateshead Leaving Care Team
You can find the Leaving Care Team at Gateshead Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH.
We are open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.
How to contact us
Children's Rights Officer
0191 4332647 or 07795 021819
rights@gateshead.gov.uk
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
www.nyas.net (opens new window)
0808 808 1001
Complaints team
enquiries.cbs@gateshead.gov.uk
0191 4332692
Text: 'Complaint Call Back' to 07736 287376 (make sure you include your contact details within the text)
Contact us
Gateshead Leaving Care Team
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH
Monday to Thursday from 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4.30pm
0191 433 2723
Out of hours emergency number 0191 477 0844
lacadminteam@gateshead.gov.uk