The Care Leaver Covenant
West Street Surgery commits to providing our patients living in care and leaving care additional support. We hope that the following information on this page is helpful. Should you want further support please call the Practice.
The Care Leaver Covenant is a national inclusion programme that supports care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently.
It covers five main areas:
Independent Living
Education, Employment and Training
Safety and Security
Mental and Physical Health
Finance
Website
www.mycovenant.org.ukBenefits for Care Leavers
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to claim benefits to support yourself when you transition out of a care setting. These can include:
– A Leaving Care Grant or sometimes called a setting up home allowance
– Universal Credit to support you if you’re working and on a low income or you’re out of work.
– 16-19 Bursary for Education
– Access to grants from some charities/businesses
Websites
Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is
Leaving foster or local authority care
Financial support for young people leaving careWest Street Surgery Health and Wellbeing Coach
West Street Surgery has a Health and Wellbeing who is able to offer care leavers advice and support. Physical and mental health checks are offered to ensure care leavers’ mental health needs are recognised and fast-tracked to receive appropriate support and that individual health needs are met. Smoking cessation and signposting to sexual health, drugs and alcohol support is also available.
Phone
01582 664401West Street Surgery Social Prescribers
Our team of social prescribers support people to improve and better manage their overall well-being by helping connect them to many community-based services and organisations available locally. It is designed for people who may be socially isolated or have practical and emotional needs that affect their health and is a FREE service.
Phone
01582 670003
Website
www.dunstablecab.org.uk/social-prescribingCentral Bedfordshire College
At the Bedford College Group we are committed to providing the support to our students need so that everyone achieves their full potential and has an exceptional and transformational experience. The information below details the support we offer to care leavers studying on our courses and how to access this.
Website
The Bedford College GroupCentral Bedfordshire Local Offer for Care Leavers
Our offer is to ensure all of our children and young people in Central Bedfordshire are happy, safe and healthy. Information, help and support is available on a range of issues including benefits, housing, education and training, jobs and offers from a range of nationwide providers.
Websites
Local Offer for care leavers
Homeless: Help for care leaversLuton Care Leavers’ Charter
A website with a wealth of information and how you will be supported when you leave care.
Website
Luton care leavers’ charterUniversity of Bedfordshire
If you are under 25 and a care leaver the University of Bedfordshire offers a range of information and advice for you to explore.
Website
University of BedfordshireChildren’s Commissioner – Help at Hand
The Children’s Commissioner’s advice and assistance service, Help at Hand, can support children in care as they approach 18 and care leavers until they reach 25.
Website
www.childrenscommissioner.gov.ukRights 4 Children
We want you to be listened to, respected and to have a great future. Leaving care rights help ensure you get the best possible start to your adult life.
Website
Leaving care – rights4childrenChild Law Advice
This website explains the duties of the local authority to provide services and support for children who are currently looked after or have been looked after once they reach the age of 16.
Website
www.childlawadvice.org.ukMind BLMK
Mind BLMK is delighted to be working collaboratively with Central Bedfordshire Council and the BLMK Integrated Care Board to provide bespoke mental health support for young people aged 16-25 years across Central Bedfordshire.
Website
www.mind-blmk.org.ukBarnardo’s
We want to help young people bridge the gap between living in care and independent living.
Website
www.barnardos.org.ukThe Care Leavers’ Association
Providing advice, guidance and support so that care leavers may fulfil their potential as individuals and members of society and that their conditions of life may be improved.
Website
The Care Leavers AssociationBECOME.
The Charity for children in care and young care leavers.
Phone
0800 023 2033
WhatsApp
0786 003 4982
Websites
www.becomecharity.org.uk
www.cbsendiass.orgThe Ferntree Support
The Ferntree is an Ofsted registered Supported Accommodation, which provides support and accommodation to vulnerable 16–18-year-old young people.
Phone
07961 682309
07399 886232
Website
www.ferntreesupport.co.uk
Email
admin@ferntreesupport.co.uk