Contributing to society: Supporting young people leaving care
As a care experienced young person you have the power to build, shape and change the community you live in and we want to support you to do this!
Being actively involved in your community brings a sense of belonging and wellbeing that we want everyone to enjoy.
Future First hub
We are based in a building close to Clapham Junction Station which offers a daily drop-in service as well as evening groups and activities.
This space is available for all care experienced young people to use.
You can hang out, use the Wi-Fi and the computers, chat to staff, do your laundry, have a hot shower, grab a drink and a snack/meal or just get some college work done! It’s your space to use.
Our TV Screens display information about our service and are updated weekly with the latest opportunities. We also promote local activities and community events that are available for care experienced young people.
Out of hours support
We know that life is 24/7. Our personal advisers and our office are available to support you during office hours, but in the evenings and weekends we have a support officer available.
Our out of hours service can be contacted in the evenings or at weekends if you have any problems or need the sort of help that you would normally use your personal adviser for.
You can contact the out of hours service on 020 8871 6000.
Finances and funding
Find out about the financial support we offer care experienced young people.
Travel
To help you get around your community, we can support you by paying for a provisional license, learning to drive (car, motorbike or moped) or by buying a cycle. Each young person up to the age of 21 can claim the cost of five one hour driving/motorbike lessons plus the cost of one test (theory or practical) from us. You need to pass your theory test before we pay for driving lessons.
Alternatively, we will provide you with funding which is equivalent to that offer, to buy a cycle, helmet, locks etc or to pay for a subscription to a bike hire scheme.
Setting Up Home Grant
Our Setting Up Home Grant for relevant and former relevant young people includes money for installing Wi-Fi in your settled home and we support you to access all digital connectivity offers from the DWP and other agencies.
Positive Experiences Grant
Every year until your 21st Birthday, you can access a £150 Positive Experiences Grant. This is to buy tickets and travel to enable you to attend an event or experience of your choosing. You can save this money over the three years and spend it all on one big event (like a festival or some travel) but it is up to you! You need to outline your plans in your pathway plan.
Religious and cultural festivals
We provide you with a £25 gift and a £50 food voucher which you can use to celebrate a festival of your choice to support your religious or cultural identity.
Birthdays
We provide you with £50 birthday allowances when you turn 18, £25 on your 19th and 20th Birthdays and £75 on your 21st birthday to help you celebrate.
Staying in touch
If you are in custody and are aged under 21, we will provide you with £15 per month for phone credit and essential items so that you can stay in touch with people.
Activities
Up until the age of 21, we can provide a £20 per month wellbeing contribution to any club, sports team, gym, hobby or membership that promotes your involvement in the community.
You can also access the £20 per month wellbeing allowance if you want to purchase hobby materials whilst you are in prison. We will also allow you to use some of your Setting Up Home Grant to buy basic household items like kettles if you need them.
Sharing your views
We can help you to share your views and be involved in improving how we support you – such as being part of Click Plus, becoming a care leaver influencer or helping you to be part of wider contributions to decision making. You can access Click Plus up to the age of 25.
There is also a feedback box at our office which you can also use to share your views.
Using your vote
We will make sure that you know how to register to vote and will encourage you to register because we want to help you shape your communities by voting. We hold voter registration workshops every year at Falcon Grove.
Activities and trips
Through the year, Click Plus, the Virtual School, and Future First offer free celebratory events, fun activities and trips that you can get involved in. We promote the events through social media, your personal advisor and flyers around the office.
Community support services
We will refer young people to community services that support young people such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Volunteering Matters and a wide range of charities and organisations.
Opportunities and schemes
We will tell you about our awards ceremonies, schemes and competitions, in line with your talents and interests.
There may also be regional and national opportunities that you might like to get involved with, such as the Pan London Children in Care Council, National Young People’s Bench Marking forum and A National Voice with Coram Voice. We will tell you about these opportunities as they arise.