Being a care leaver

What does ‘being a care leaver’ mean?

If you have been in care, you will become ‘a care leaver’ once you turn 18 and you will be offered support from the Council until you turn 21, or if needed up to age 25. The support you will be offered will help you as you move from care to adulthood and independent living.

We know that making this transition to adulthood is not easy if you have been in care so we will offer you support, advice, guidance and encouragement. We will also make sure your views are listened to and you will have someone you can trust and talk to about how you feel.

Your Leaving Care Worker

Once you turn 18, you will be supported by a worker in the Leaving Care Team. Most of the leaving care workers are Personal Advisers but some are Social Workers. A worker in the Leaving Care Team will be identified for you after you turn 17 so that you can get to know them before they start working with you at 18.

Your worker will keep in contact and meet with you at your home or somewhere else if you prefer. They will give you advice, guidance and information to help you make the best choices for you.

How to contact us

If you do not know who your worker is, please contact the Leaving Care Team:

Email: CFLeavingCare.Duty@hounslow.gov.uk

Call: 020 8583 4580 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday)

In person: Leaving Care Team, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Your Pathway Plan

Every young person between the ages of 16-21 in care or a care leaver (and up to 25 if needed) has a Pathway Plan. The plan sets out the individual package of support that Hounslow Council will provide to prepare you for independent living and to help you achieve your goals. It will include your education, employment or training goals, any health needs, housing, finance and any other information you and your worker agree on. Your worker will review your Pathway Plan with you (at least twice a year, but more if needed) and meet with you to check your goals and milestones are still correct and being met.

If you do not have a copy of your Pathway Plan please contact your worker or the Leaving Care Team (contact details above).

To find out more about what to expect when you are a care leaver, and how Hounslow Council will help and support you, click on the boxes on the right. Or if you want to print all the information in one go click here.

All the information that you will find in these sections will include what we offer you and what to expect from us. If you feel like we are not doing what we have said we will, then please tell us. Go to the Getting Your Voice Heard section to find out how.