Identity and Specific Support needs

Your National Security Number is available to you from the age of 16. You will need this number to apply for work of any kind and often for other application forms. If you don’t know your number, speak to your social worker or PA.

Children’s Social Care will pay for the initial purchase of your passport, a copy of your full birth certificate and deed poll to change your name legally if required. If for any reason you can’t get a passport we will support you and fund you to apply for another form of photographic ID (e.g. a provisional or full driving licence.)

As well as support from your social worker and PA, we may be able to offer you other practical and emotional support with relationships through the Lifelong Links team. This team can help you maintain or regain contact with people who were special to you or who cared for you in the past.

Lifelong Links helps care experienced young people build and strengthen lasting relationships with the people who are important to them. A Lifelong Links Coordinator will work alongside you to help identify, reconnect and strengthen relationships with family members, friends and other trusted adults who care about you and want to be part of your life.

We can also arrange meetings with people who are important to you, like family members and friends to talk about how everyone can work together to support you in the best way. These meetings are called Family Group Conferences.

We can also help you to keep in touch with people who are important to you but who might live a bit further away so please speak with your PA about this.

You will remain at the centre of the process, helping to shape your own network of support. By building and strengthening these lifelong relationships, Lifelong Links can help you develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging, improve your emotional wellbeing, and create a network of people who can continue to support you into adulthood.

You can speak to your PA about Lifelong Links, or you can refer yourself by contacting lifelonglinks@devon.gov.uk

You have the right to understand your care history. Your social worker should have already completed Life story work with you so that you are not left with lots of questions about your early life in care. Your PA can continue with this if you still have questions.

You also have a right to see information that we keep about you, including your files and records written about you when you were in care. For more information on accessing your social care files please speak to your PA or read our guide to accessing records on our website.

If you live in a staying close property, they will help you get ready for independence. Building on the understanding that strong, trusted relationships are essential for successful transitions to adulthood, Staying Close provides both accommodation and relationship-based support from a dedicated Personal Adviser.

Unlike many services, the Staying Close Personal Adviser is not an additional worker. They are a consistent and trusted adult who works alongside you, they can help you build confidence, strengthen relationships and build networks of support.

Together, with the Personal Adviser you will create a personalised independence plan that focuses on what matters most to you, including maintaining stable accommodation, developing practical life skills, promoting emotional health and wellbeing, building positive relationships, and achieving education, training and employment goals.

We recognise how important relationships with brothers and sisters can be.

• We will support and promote positive sibling relationships wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
• As part of your Pathway Plan, we will work with you to agree arrangements for spending time with your siblings.
• We will discuss any support needed to help make this happen, including support with travel costs where appropriate.

Having a trusted adult who can offer guidance, encouragement and support can make a real difference as you move into adulthood.

• Mentoring opportunities are available through a range of local and national programmes.
• This may be linked to your Education, Training and Employment Plan or another area of your life where additional support would be helpful.
• If you feel a mentor could benefit you, speak with your PA who can help identify and refer you to the most appropriate programme.

Safe Families provides opportunities to build positive relationships with trusted adults and communities.

Voluntary Support is tailored to your individual needs and may include:

• Regular contact and companionship to reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Practical advice and support with everyday life skills.
• Help to access education, training and employment opportunities.
• Support with decision-making and problem-solving.
• Opportunities to become part of wider community and family networks.
• Additional support during significant occasions such as birthdays, holidays and other important life events.

Connecting with other care experienced young people can provide support, encouragement and a sense of belonging.

Devon County Council supports a range of peer networks, including:

• ECHO Network for care experienced young people employed by Devon County Council.
• Stand Up Speak Up.
• Devon Youth Council.
• SEND Network for Change.
• Parent participation groups.

If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please speak with your PA.

There are also national networks available, including:

• National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum.
• The Care Leavers Association.
• Let's Connect through the Rees Foundation.

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is an important part of becoming independent.

• If you need support with friendships, family relationships or other important connections in your life, your PA can help.
• Together, we can identify any support you need and include this within your Pathway Plan.
• We will work with you to help build positive, healthy and lasting relationships.

My Future, My Way recognises that positive, consistent relationships are an important part of a successful transition into adulthood.

If you are supported through My Future, My Way, you will have a dedicated Key Support Worker who will provide practical guidance, encouragement and stability as you move from supported accommodation into your own home. They will work alongside you to help build confidence, independence and lasting support networks.

Sometimes you may want support to make sure your views, wishes and feelings are heard. An advocate is someone who can help you understand your rights, express your views and make sure your voice is heard when important decisions are being made about your life.

If you feel you would benefit from advocacy support, speak to your PA who can help you access the most appropriate service. The Advocacy Service can support you on a range of issues and will act independently to ensure your views are represented.

Having a child is special, but also can be an anxiety provoking time, particularly if you are parenting alone, or you do not have supportive people around you.

Your PA can support you to attend antenatal classes or parentcraft classes and will even go with you to some of these to help get you into the group if this would be helpful.

If you are worried about travel costs to get to these, or hospital appointments when you or your partner is pregnant then please talk to your PA as we will support you with this.

We will support you to purchase essential items (or one big item) up to the value of £300 to help you prepare for when your baby is born.

We will also support the cost of maternity clothes up to the value of £100.

If you are expecting your first baby, you will be eligible for the HUGS programme. This is a Devon-based intensive support programme led by health visitors from pregnancy through to the 2nd year of the child’s life and will help you with every aspect of pregnancy and parenting independently from Children’s social care. Ask your PA for more details.

If you are on benefits or a low income, you may be entitled to a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500 to purchase what is needed for your baby. This can be accessed via your community midwife and claimed from 11 weeks before the birth, until the baby is 3 months old. It is not payable until after the baby is born, but your PA can arrange an advance if necessary. It will not affect your Universal Credit. For more information of this grant, visit the gov.uk website.

If you are 16/17 and pregnant, you will continue to receive your personal allowance until the baby is born. After the baby is born, you will be eligible for Child Benefit and Universal Credit

Strong Start Programme (expectant mothers)

If you are expecting a baby, we can support you to access the Strong Start Programme. This is a specialist, trauma-informed programme designed for care experienced young people who are preparing to become parents. The programme will help you build confidence and knowledge around pregnancy, labour, birth, caring for your baby, emotional wellbeing and early attachment. It is designed to help you recognise your strengths, develop positive support networks and feel prepared for parenthood, so that you and your baby have the strongest possible start together. Speak with your PA if you would like to find out more.

Family Hubs

Family Hubs provide support for children, young people and families across Devon. They bring together different services, professionals and community organisations to help you access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for you.

If you are a parent, expecting a baby, caring for a child, or supporting a young person, Family Hubs can help you access a wide range of services, including parenting support, health and wellbeing services, SEND support, emotional wellbeing support and advice about local activities and opportunities for families.

Support is available in a variety of ways, including at Family Hub locations, community venues, online and by telephone. Family Hubs work closely with health services, education, children's services and voluntary organisations to make it easier for families to get the help they need.

If you are a care experienced parent, Family Hubs can work alongside your PA and other professionals to provide support for you and your child, helping you build confidence, strengthen family relationships and access local services and opportunities.

Speak to your PA to find out more about Family Hubs or visit the Family Hubs website to see what support is available in your area.

Devon Pathways

Devon Pathways provides information, advice and support to help young people and adults improve their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Whether you are looking for support for anxiety, low mood, stress, confidence, relationships or other challenges, Devon Pathways can help you find the right support for your needs.

The service offers a range of support options, including self-help resources, workshops, groups and access to specialist wellbeing services. You can access support directly yourself or speak to your PA if you would like help exploring what is available.

If you think you would benefit from support with your emotional wellbeing or mental health, speak to your PA or visit the Devon Pathways website to find out more.

Easy Peasy App

If you have a child aged 0 to 5, you can get free access to the EasyPeasy app, which is packed with fun, simple ideas to help you support your child's learning and development at home. The app gives you age-appropriate tips, activities and advice on things like bedtime routines, nutrition, speech and language, mindfulness, SEND, and learning through play. Activities use everyday items you already have at home, making them easy to fit into family life. You can also connect with other parents by sharing ideas and experiences, helping you build confidence in your parenting and create positive everyday moments with your child.

Dad Pad

If you are an expectant dad or a new father, DadPad provides practical advice, information and support to help you feel more confident in your parenting journey. It covers topics such as pregnancy, birth, caring for your baby, supporting your partner, your own wellbeing and where to get help if you need it. DadPad is available as a free app and can be a useful source of information and reassurance as you adjust to life as a parent.

Education, Training and Employment

• If you are thinking about returning to education, training or employment, your Education, Training and Employment (ETE) PA can provide advice, guidance and practical support. They will work with you to explore opportunities that match your interests, strengths and future goals, helping you find options that fit alongside your parenting responsibilities and family life.
• We know that being in education, training or employment can have positive benefits for both you and your child. It can help build your confidence, increase financial stability, create new opportunities for your family's future and show your child the value of learning, achieving goals and developing new skills. Your ETE PA will support you to find a pathway that works for you and your family, helping you balance your aspirations as a parent with your own ambitions for the future.

Free Childcare Entitlements

• There are a range of childcare entitlements available to help parents access affordable childcare. All children are entitled to 15 hours of free early education from the term after their third birthday until they start school. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged 9 months and over.
• Accessing childcare can help support your child's learning, development and social skills, while also giving you opportunities to access education, training or employment. Your PA can help you understand what childcare support you may be entitled to and where to find further information. Please note that some childcare providers may charge for additional items such as meals, nappies or activities.
• For further information about support for being a parent, please see ‘Care Leavers that are parents’ section, here you will find financial support and more.

Becoming a parent can be exciting, rewarding and sometimes challenging. When you become a parent, it is not just about you anymore, it is about you and your child together. Many parents have grandparents around them who can offer advice, encouragement, practical help and support when life feels busy or overwhelming.

As a care experienced parent, you may not always have that wider family support network around you. That is why we want to be the best Corporate Grandparent we can be for you and your family.

We know that grandparents often play an important role in family life. They can be someone to talk to, offer practical help when things are difficult, provide encouragement and reassurance, and help families feel safe, connected and supported. They can also help parents understand the support available to them and encourage children to learn, grow and thrive.

We want you to know that you do not have to do this alone. As your Corporate Grandparent, we will work alongside you to help you be the parent you want to be and provide support when you need it.

As a proud Corporate Grandparent, we will:
 

• Make sure you know what support is available and how to access it.
• Help you build confidence in your parenting and celebrate your achievements and strengths.
• Provide emotional wellbeing support and someone to talk to when things feel difficult.
• Help you connect with other parents, services and supportive people in your community.
• Work closely with Family Hubs and other local services to help you access support at the right time.
• Support you to understand and access benefits, childcare entitlements and other financial support available to you.
• Help you create a safe, stable and positive future for you and your child.
• Listen to your views and involve you in helping shape services for care experienced parents.
• If your family needs additional support from Children's Social Care, we will work with you to make sure you have every opportunity to develop your parenting skills and be the best parent you can be.

We will be ambitious for both you and your child. We will encourage you, support you and help you find solutions when challenges arise. Most importantly, we will recognise your strengths, value your experiences and work alongside you to help you build the future that you want for yourself and your family.

If you are expecting to enter custody, then your PA will help prepare you for this, working with you to ensure that you have everything that you are able to take with you, and ensuring that you have all the contact details of key people that you may need.

When you enter custody, you will receive an immediate initial allowance of £20 to help you with essential items and phone calls.

You will receive an allowance via your PA of £20/month from this point.

Within 2 weeks of entering custody, your PA will visit you.

Following this initial visit your PA will visit you at least every 8 weeks more if this is needed.

Your PA will link with the care leaver lead for the prison to ensure that your care leaver status is known, and that you are supported as a care leaver.

Where there are specific faith and cultural needs your PA will work with the prison to ensure that these are being met.

Our Education, Employment and Training PA will meet with you whilst you are in prison to plan for your release. We know that employment, education, and training are a strong way to help prevent a return to custody and we will work with you and the prison to plan helping your education or learning a trade, and what you could do when you leave custody.

• We want to make sure you are well prepared for life whilst in custody and when you are released. To support this:
• Your Pathway plan will be reviewed with you on your PA’s first visit, it will continue to be reviewed every 6 months and at least 2 months before your release.
• Whilst we will aim to visit you within two weeks of entering custody, there may occasionally be circumstances where this is not possible. If this happens, your PA will make alternative arrangements to stay in contact with you and explain the reason for any delay.
• You may be able to access a £50 clothing grant to help ensure you have appropriate clothing for court appearances or your release from custody.
• Your PA will help you obtain suitable photo identification where needed, to support a smooth transition on release.
• We recognise how important relationships and family connections can be whilst you are in custody. Where agreed as part of your Pathway Plan, support may be available to help family members visit you, with funding for up to three visits each year.
• With your consent, we can make a referral to Lifelong Links, a service that helps you reconnect with people who are important to you. This could include family members, friends, former carers, teachers, neighbours, social workers or other trusted adults.
• If your sentence continues beyond your 25th birthday, your PA will work with you to explore what support may still be available both whilst you remain in custody and when you are released. With your agreement, this may include referrals to other services, such as an Independent Visitor, to help ensure you continue to have support and positive relationships around you.

On or around 3 months prior to your release from custody, we will meet with you to talk about a transition plan to help you exit custody successfully. We will convene transition meetings to include relevant people who will support your planning to include as needed, housing colleagues, the Education, Training and Employment PA, your own PA, Probation, and the prison. This will help build a plan for when you leave custody using the pathway plan, and importantly will cover that first day when you leave custody so that you know where you are going, and who will be meeting you and supporting you.

On the day you leave custody, your PA will meet you at the prison and support you to get to any initial appointment that you need to attend and then ensure that you get to your accommodation.

We will support you with £60/week until you are paid if you are working, or for 5 weeks whilst awaiting any universal credit payment.

Your PA will help you claim any benefits that you are entitled to and support you to access financial support as you settle back into the community.

Before you leave custody, your PA, Housing Adviser and Probation Worker will work with you and, where you agree, with each other, to identify suitable accommodation for you on release. This may include approved premises, supported accommodation, temporary accommodation, Staying Close or other housing options that best meet your needs. Where appropriate, we will also support you to apply for social housing so that longer-term accommodation options can be explored.

Your PA will support you to register with health services following your release, helping you access the healthcare and wellbeing support you may need. If you require specialist health services, we will work with you to make sure you can access the right support.

We understand that some young people leaving custody may have limited support networks around them. Having trusted people in your life can make a big difference during your transition back into the community. With your consent, we can help you access additional support through mentoring, befriending and relationship-based services, such as the Rees Foundation, Safe Families and Independent Visitor services. Wherever possible, these conversations and referrals will begin before your release, helping to ensure support is in place from the earliest opportunity.

If you are a 16 or 17-year-old who is seeking asylum and living in supported accommodation, you will receive the same funding from the Corporate Parenting Service as all other care leavers.

From the age of eighteen, if you have been granted leave to remain in the UK, you can claim Universal Credit and have rights to apply for public housing. DCC will support you with your living costs if you are still waiting for your asylum decision.

If you do not have Refugee Status/Indefinite Leave to Remain, you are not eligible to claim an Education Bursary but may be able to make use of the ‘Care to Learn Fund’ www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

If you have limited leave to remain (usually Discretionary Leave), or are appealing an adverse decision, the Corporate Parenting Service will consider funding education courses that finish in the academic year prior to your status expiring.

In most situations, the rest of this offer is available to you.

For more detail about how we welcome young asylum seekers to Devon please see our Welcome Pack for Asylum Seekers.

If you choose to be closed to the service at age 21 then you can return any time up to your 25th birthday to ask for support. You simply call the office number, and a PA will talk to you about what is happening for you and what support you might need - which could be advice, short term support or we can allocate a PA and complete a Pathway Plan. Over the age of 21, the service you get will be based on your specific needs.

Your PA will work with you if you find yourself in an emergency financial situation. In these situations, your PA can access up to £100 over the course of a year for you. This will be for real emergencies, and your PA will work with you to contact other agencies first.

If you keep finding yourself in difficult financial situations, then you PA will work with you on budgeting, and we will need you to work with us on this to prevent emergencies arising.

We believe that every young person should be encouraged and supported to plan their future careers and achieve their potential through learning new skills and having a wide range of practical experiences. However, we recognise that when care leavers first enter the benefit system, the complexity of the system combined with their own complex needs can result in delays in their claim being completed.

So, Devon County Council has an agreement with Jobcentre Plus to work together to provide an enhanced service to support young people leaving care into education, employment and training. This ensures:

• Co-ordinated support to engage young people into Education, Employment or Training
• An early entry system and a smooth transition for those young people leaving care and needing to claim benefit.
• Prompt and accurate payment of benefits where these are required.
• Young people are empowered and enabled to gain sustainable paid employment through individual pathways.

You can read the full joint protocol here.

We may be able to help you with storage provision for a short period in an emergency. This can be up to 3 months. Please talk to your PA if this is an issue and we will try to help.

If you are over 18 or age 16-17 and living in supported accommodation, we want to ensure that you have essential items of clothing. If you are struggling, please talk to you PA who may be able to access up to £200 for essential items.

You will receive a birthday and a festival gift as per the table below. Christmas is an example of a festival, however if you celebrate other festivals that are cultural for you, we will of course recognise these and provide this payment for those celebrations instead.

Age	Birthday	Festival
16 & 17 (if living in the community and not in residential/ foster care)	£100	£100
18	£150	£150
19 & 20	£50	£50
21	£100	£100

 

This may be in the form of a present purchased by the Personal Adviser, or an allowance paid directly to you. If you celebrate more than one festival a year, the allowance may be split and allocated at different times.

We will pay for your provisional driving licence and your theory test – speak to your PA about how to access this.

Devon County Council will then pay for 10 hours of driving lessons and one practical driving test.

In some Devon districts, you can access Council leisure centres for free. See above in Healthy Me for details.

PureGym offer 50% membership discount to care leavers.

DCC employees are able to access a range of lifestyle savings and discounts through ‘Vivup.’ These are now accessible our Care leavers too and can be accessed on the Vivup website. Care leavers can also access the Kaarp Benefits deals and offers. Please talk to your PA about help with accessing these schemes.

Sometimes the experience of being in care or having to move to a new area can result in feelings of isolation or loneliness. Our Stand up Speak up team of participation workers (SUSU) can support you to connect with other care-experienced young people and to attend groups where you will find like-minded people. They offer groups and fun activities for 16–23-year-olds who are care-experienced.

If you are over 21 you can access similar groups provided by Avocados advocacy.

You can find out what is happening by contacting participation@devon.gov.uk, following the SUSU Instagram site @standupspeak or speaking with your PA.

We want to work with you to help you to be an active member of society. Your PA can help you to register to vote, share any information about voluntary work opportunities and give you information on groups or clubs you may wish to join in your area. Do speak with your PA about your interests so that they can help you to get involved in local opportunities.