Released: 24 October 2022
A new package of support and advice for care leavers in West Sussex is being launched as we celebrate their successes during National Care Leavers Week, 24 to 28 October 2022.
This new Local Offer and website created especially for our care leavers is now live. It provides all of the information young people need as they move out of care and into independence, the support and financial help they’re entitled to and all of the ways West Sussex County Council’s Leaving Care Service is available to them.
The enhanced Local Offer has been developed with care leavers and partners to make it easy to use and includes:
• Increased housing support, the council acting as a guarantor, paying rent and deposits in advance and help with moving
• Financial support to help care leavers visit their families and attend religious and cultural events
• Free and discounted gym membership and use of leisure centres
• Extra help for young parents with essential items.
New welcome packs are also being given to children who are about to leave care. The packs have been created by care experienced young people on our advisory board, and include ‘things I wish I’d known when I left care’, along with a bag, a water bottle and other useful items.
West Sussex County Council’s Leaving Care Service supports young people who have been in our care as they move into adulthood, helping them to prepare to live independent lives that are healthy, happy and safe. The service works with children from the age of 17 up to 25, and each is allocated a personal advisor who helps with their health and wellbeing and with practical things like finances, housing, relationships, education and employment.
We are using National Care Leavers week to celebrate our care leavers and share their success stories. We are also supporting them to meet and share their experiences with other care leavers from across the UK at an event in Birmingham next week, hosted by the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum.
From overcoming incredible challenges with determination and bravery, to furthering their studies or impressing in their job, every West Sussex care leaver has taken great strides.
One West Sussex care leaver has shared her story. She said: “I have some good friends, who understand me and I get on with them. Even though I have special needs, I am friendly and helpful. I have been through a lot, but it does not define me or who I am. I did well at school, I passed science, food tech, English, hair and beauty and many others.”
Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We believe we now have one of the most comprehensive offers for care leavers in the country. It has been created alongside our young people, so we’ve been able to include the things that they have told us will help to make their lives better.
“Our care leavers have achieved some truly exceptional things this year, so we rightly celebrate them. Many have had the most difficult start in life, but because of their determination and bravery, where they started doesn’t define where they’re going.”
Care leaver success stories
Some brilliant West Sussex Care Leavers have been nominated for EPIC Awards, the Council’s annual Exceptional People in Care awards being held next month. We will be sharing these stories on our social media channels all week: @WSCCNews and @WSYourSpace.
“C has been remarkable this last year. She has continued to provide training to enhance the quality of service provided to our young people, whilst overcoming incredible challenges within her own life. She has really made an immense effort to get to where she now is. She has been brave, courageous and given all she can. We are incredibly proud and inspired by her.”
“T is nominated for her personal independency skills following a move into her own accommodation. She has overcome some challenges to this but continues to look forward to her next goal.”
“J is a remarkable young person. In this last year she has achieved and given so much. She has worked incredibly long hours in a nursery whilst completing her university course, and she has done it so well that they offered her a full-time job. She is a warm, caring individual who radiates sunshine.”
“S is currently studying for her level 3 in childcare and A level photography, the teachers described her as a pleasure to support. As part of her course, she attends placement at a day nursery every week which she enjoys very much. She is an amazing, kind and talented young person and I know that she will make a fantastic childcare worker.”
“C has shown remarkable strength and resilience whilst adjusting from living with a foster carer to moving into a shared house. Although understandably anxious about the move, she has embraced this change. She is a remarkable young person and I'm sure she will achieve everything she wants from life. It has been a privilege and honour to get to know her and watch her grow.”
