​Launch of new online support to help young care levers

Young people leaving care in Bury are being offered extra support via a special website being launched on Monday (16 Sep).

The Care Leaver Offer website is a dedicated space which clearly sets out the support that care leavers can expect from the council and its partners as they make their individual journeys to independence and adult life.

The website is hosted by The Bury Directory and offers a whole range of information, support, advice, contacts and events on a wide range of topics including finance, education, health and wellbeing, participation and support.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for children and families, said: “Once a young person leaves care, the council and its partners don’t stop caring about them. The Care Leaver Offer will help to ensure that care leavers feel safe and supported and know where and who to go to for advice and help.”

The launch of the website will take place on Monday 16 September at The Hub, a social drop-in centre for care leavers at the New Kershaw Centre, between 11.30am and 1pm.

Senior staff from children’s services will be there to answer questions, and visitors can find out more about care services, adoption, fostering, corporate parenting and more. The website will be demonstrated and light refreshments available throughout the session. The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Trevor Holt, will also be there to add his support.

A care leaver is a young person who has been looked after by the local authority for at least 13 weeks, some of it after their 16^th birthday.

They may have experienced neglect, abuse, family breakdown, bereavement or parental mental health issues that has prompted the local authority to intervene and take on the parenting role.

Cllr Tariq added: “Young people leaving care share many of the same issues as other young people moving to adulthood, such as arguments with parents or carers about school, choice of careers, loud music, close friends, and many other lifestyle issues.

“While this journey can be difficult for many young people, young people in care may need additional support and help because of their pre-care experiences, disruption while they have been in care, or problems they may have at home or school. In addition, they may need help with disability or emotional problems they have.

“Young people leaving care can be torn between their need to be protected and their desire to be treated like an adult. While changes to the law have improved the support offered to care leavers on many levels, there is still some way to go as they remain over-represented in disadvantaged groups.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 11 September 2019.