Get Help

Your carer(s) or workers should be your first point of contact if you need any help or support. If you cannot get hold of your social worker or personal adviser or you do not know who they are you can call the duty number:

Who to contact

Through Care Team
(if you were aged under 14 when you came into care)
Call 020 8583 3173

Late Entry Team
(if you were 14 or older when you came into care)
Call 020 8583 3578

Leaving Care Team
(if you are 18 or over)
Call 020 8583 4580

In an emergency

If you, or someone else is in immediate danger you must call 999 or text phone text phone on 18000 if you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment.

Information, support and guidance about being in care

Become Charity
http://www.becomecharity.org.uk/
and their Care Advice Line
http://www.becomecharity.org.uk/help-and-advice/care-advice-line/
The Children’s Commissioner
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/help-at-hand/
Coram Voice
http://www.coramvoice.org.uk/young-peoples-zone/always-heard
Drive Forward Foundation
Care Leaver’s Covenant

Counselling

Hounslow Youth Counselling Service have a dedicated counsellor for care leavers.
If you would like to find out more or make an appointment please contact them and let them know you are a care leaver.
020 8568 1818 / ask@hycscounselling.co.uk
The website also has a self-help hub and lots tips, advice and exercises to look after your well-being and boost your mood.
Childline
Online, on the phone, anytime
Samaritans
Offering a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, no matter how old you are.

Young People Seeking Asylum

Support for all young people

http://www.themix.org.uk/ for any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.

Your education

The Virtual College
https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20141/services_for_looked_after_children_and_care_leavers/1702/children_in_care_-_what_to_expect/4
Hounslow Connexions
https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20025/schools_and_colleges/52/hounslow_connexions_-_careers_advice_for_young_people/1
If you do not live in Hounslow you will need to contact your local council to find out whether there is a Connexions service in your area.
Careers Helpline for Teenagers age 13+
https://www.gov.uk/careers-helpline-for-teenagers
Propel
To find universities with support packages for care leavers
http://propel.org.uk/UK/
16-19 Bursary https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
Apply for the £1,200 Bursary from your Student Services adviser at college during the FIRST week of your studies.

Volunteering

https ://vinspired.com / to find opportunities in your area.

If you are in Hounslow VOICE Youth Project offers volunteering opportunities. Contact kuldip.sandu@hounslow.gov.uk / 020 8583 2853

If you are interested in the trade, building or construction industry and would like to volunteer and gain a qualification visit Volunteer it Yourself

Having an Independent Visitor

If you are age 8-16 and would like to meet up regularly with an adult (they do not work for social services) for advice, support and just to spend time with doing fun things you could have an independent visitor from Allies.

Ask your foster carer or social worker or contact Allies on 07823 413255 or email barbara.regnier@volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Having a Mentor

If you are age 16+ and would like to meet with someone regularly for support to achieve any personal goals you have, you could have a mentor

Ask your foster carer or social worker or contact Grandmentors on 07841 461814 or email christine.giles@volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Health

Looked After Children’s Nurse – 020 3771 6100
NHS Go Free – confidential advice and information on local services for young people
https://nhsgo.uk / – download the free app
For Medical Advice – call 111 – open 24 hours a day all year round

Mental Health

If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed, angry or upset we can offer you professionals and services to help you.

Please talk to your foster carer, social worker or personal advisor, the Looked After Children’s Nurse or someone else you trust if you would like help.

See also information further up this page under ‘Counselling’

For more information and support go to https://youngminds.org.uk/

Sexual Health

The Looked After Children’s nurse can provide advice, information and support and free contraception.

Contraception, family planning and sexual health services for the London Borough of Hounslow – http://www.sexualhealthhounslow.org.uk/
https://www.brook.org.uk/