You may have a mixture of emotions about leaving care. Some young people are excited about branching out on their own, taking the first steps to being fully independent, whilst others may feel anxious about new experiences. All of these emotions are ok and we are here to support you on your journey to adulthood.
We recognise that the help and support you receive from our 16-25 team is critical in helping you transition from care to independence (interdependence) . We take our responsibilities very seriously and want to be the best corporate parents we can be. We have high aspirations for you and want you to have the support you need to achieve your goals.
This offer has been developed alongside our young people and outlines all the support that our council provides for you, it will demonstrate the practical support we will give you but also the emotional and wellbeing support available.
Our pledge below is a promise to you:
You are wonderful – we will value you for who you are, celebrate your successes and always be there for you
Successful – we will support you to achieve your goals in gaining and keeping yourself in education, employment, or training
Housing – we will support you through the processes of deciding what accommodation you would like and then securing those. We will be open and honest about the options, decisions and processes relating to your independence skills and housing
Healthy – we will support you to achieve the best health and wellbeing that you can, both physically and mentally
We want the best for you – we will aim high for you, and help you to achieve the successes you want to
We will tell you what’s going on – we will listen to you, our aim for you to make your own decisions, but when we need to, we will make decisions based on what you are saying, and we will tell you what decisions are made and the reasons why
You will be able to look after yourself well when you become an adult – we will support you to be ready for interdependence with life skills and with confidence to deal with the challenges that life and adulthood face
Who we are….
And what we do
We are your corporate parents. This means that it is our responsibility to be good parents to you and all of our care experienced young people.
Team Manager - Katie
Deputy Team Manager - Kat
14 Personal Advisors: Callum, Adeola, Amina, Sabina, Kamal, Sam, Wayne, Suzie, Adam, Lorraine, Lisa, Sue, Yamin, Leigha
We also have a Head of Service (Sharon) who oversees the whole of the Corporate parenting service.
We have some special workers who can offer more specialist support, they include:
- A careers advisor – Kathy
- A work coach at Milton Keynes DWP – Frankie
- A substance misuse worker – Jimmy & Megan
- An Independent Domestic Abuse worker – Beulah
- A mentor co-ordinator – Afehia
- Psychologist – Dr Sarah
- Looked after childrens nurses – Carol, Tara & Sue
- Parenting support youth worker – Dani
- Next steps youth worker – Precious
- Participation lead - Richard
How to contact us
You can find us at ‘Our hub’. This is where we also run our group sessions and some support services.
Address: Westfield Rd, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2RA
Email Address: 16-25TeamDuty@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Telephone Number: 01908 253434
Who can receive support?
The amount of support you get will depend on your age and circumstances. To get the full support of the Local Offer you must have been in care for at least 13 weeks between the ages of 14 and 16 (including your 16th birthday) or in care for 13 weeks after your 16th birthday up to your 18th birthday. If you are unsure of your status or what support you are entitled to, please speak to your Personal Advisor (known as a PA) or our duty team who can help you understand your rights and entitlements.
Understanding your rights and entitlements as a care experienced young person can be confusing. As well as speaking about this with your PA you can access this website which will can break things down. Am I a care leaver? - Coram Voice
You will be able to access support detailed in the local offer as a care experienced young person up to the age of 25, whether you are in education or training or not. This is to make sure care experienced young people receive similar support to young adults who live with their families. Your personal advisor is there to help you to prepare to live interdependently and to offer advice and support after you leave care.
Your Voice is important;
Advocacy
It is important that you are included in planning for your future and any decisions that are made both whilst you are in care and care experienced.
Advocates are independent and do not work for your carers or children’s services. They are only there for you and are completely independent.
Your Personal Advisor can arrange an advocate for you if you feel like your voice in not being heard or you can access our advocacy service independently by contacting them on 0800 3891 571 or email advocacy@reconstruct.co.uk.
More information about the advocacy service can be found here;
Children & Young People Advocacy - Reconstruct UK
We value your views about the service we provide and take on board all ideas when looking at how we can work together to improve. Our Participation team run a forum which focuses on service developments and improvements, as well as having fun! The group meets regularly and is called: