Leaving Care?
This page is all about the Leaving Care Service; click the links below to find out more information.
- What is the Leaving Care Service?
- What is in the building?
- What is The Leaving Care Act?
- What does the Leaving Care Service do?
- Who is in the Leaving Care Service?
- Where is the Leaving Care Service?
- What is the Leaving Care Drop In?
What is the Leaving Care Service?
The Leaving Care Service works with young people from the age of 15 ½ and who are in the care of the local authority. A Personal Advisor will be allocated to each young person and they will help him or her to prepare for living independently (in your own place).
The Leaving Care Service has a duty to support young people up to age 21 and 24 if they go to university and the personal advisor will support you up to that age.
The service also offers group work to help with practical skills, drop in sessions, social activities and access to computers.
12 - 14 Edhill Avenue used to be a Local Authority residential home before being converted into the headquarters of the Leaving Care Service. The offices for the team are on the top floor of the building; there is also a toilet and shower room for you to use. Back to top
What is in the building?
Edhill Avenue- 
This is the outside of the leaving care service. It is for young people who are leaving care. Young people come to get support from their personal advisor, collect their money or to attend the drop in.
Sitting area (Lounge)-
We use the sitting area to watch DVD’s and videos and to look at the leaflets and resources. We can also have tea and coffee.
Meeting Room- 
This is a meeting room where staff have staff meetings and young people can also have meetings; individually or in groups. This is where we designed the web pages!
Kitchen-
Young people use the kitchen to learn how to cook different things. The staff use the kitchen to make lot’s and lot’s of cups of tea and munch!
Laundry-
Young people can use the laundry to do some washing if they need to and learn about how much washing powder to use!
Games area-
We have a pool table and football table and you can have a game if you come along. The drop in organises competitions and prizes! Staff probably use it to skive off when nobody is around!
Computer Room- 
This is where we researched and gathered information for the website. Young people can check emails or go on the web. You can even use it to do your college work!
Garden area-
This is the BBQ area and the drop in use this area sometimes too for swingball! We are planning to get decking and do it all up!
What is the Children Leaving Care Act?
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 is the main piece of legislation (Government Law) that the Leaving Care Team works to - this act makes Local Authorities far more useful and helpful to care leavers.
From 1st October 2002, the Act applies to all young people age 16 -21 (or 24 in some cases if you are in education or vocational training) who have been in care at least 3 months.
The law affecting these services is complicated but does describe which groups of young people are allowed to get help from the Leaving Care Service. If you want to skip this section your Social Worker or Personal advisor should be able to explain what help you are entitled to!
The Children Leaving Care Act does not apply to young people who left care before 1 October 2001, the date on which the new Act came into force.
Services can however be provided to certain certain groups who are care leavers, aged under 21 years, or under 24 years if still in further education or training, who ceased to be looked after by social services at, or after their 16th birthday. These care leavers include young people who left care in or after October 2001 but were looked after for less than 13 weeks or they are care leavers who left South Tyneside’s care before October 2001.
The Act also applies to eligible children. These are young people who are 16 or 17 years of age who have been looked after by the local authority for a period of 13 weeks after reaching the age of 14 and are currently looked after. The total of 13 weeks need not have been all in one go.
The Act also applies to relevant children. These are young people who were previously eligible children but who are no longer looked after but are still under the age of 18. This does not apply to children who have been successfully returned home and have been settled for at least 6 months. The category of relevant children also includes care leavers who meet the defined criteria who are young parents and young people detained in hospital.
The Act also applies to former relevant children. These are young people who have reached the age of 18 but not 21 and were either eligible or relevant children before becoming 18. If these young people are being helped with an agreed education or training programme, they remain former relevant children to the end of this period even if this extends beyond the age of 21.
The groups of eligible children include young people who are remanded into local authority care following an offence, asylum seekers and certain groups of respite care children and young people who have returned home while in care.
Asylum Seekers who are Unaccompanied Minors -
These young people are covered by the Children Act 1989 and Leaving Care Act 2000 in the same way as other children in the country. Their immigration status does however need to be taken into account by the local authority and the Home Office should normally resolve this while the child is still a minor.
South Tyneside MBC will assess unaccompanied asylum-seeking children using the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. This is the same procedure required for the assessment of all children who get help from South Tyneside Children’s Services.
What does the Leaving Care Service do?
Assessments
Before you leave care your social worker must make a list with you of things that must be dealt with such as housing, education, training and/or working, health, support, social contacts, money, skills for living independently.
This is called an assessment and may, with your permission include talking with your parents, school or college, doctor or anyone else who might be important. You (and everyone else involved) must have a copy of the assessment which should not be finished until your 16th birthday. (No one should have to leave care to live independently until they are at least 16 and feel prepared, ready and want to).
Pathway Plan
Your social worker, or leaving care worker, must also make a Pathway Plan (a written document) with you saying how all the things in the assessment will be covered and who will do what to help you. The Pathway Plan should look ahead to at least your 21st birthday. Again you (and everyone who will help you) must have a copy of the Pathway Plan. The Plan should deal with several options including what to do if it doesn't work. The idea is to review and revise the Pathway Plan regularly with you and everyone helping you until you are 21. You should also have a Care Plan while you are still in care (usually until you are 18 when legally you become an adult).
Living Expenses
While you are under 18, Social Services must pay all your living expenses unless you are a lone parent, long term sick or disabled, in which case the Benefits Agency pays your living expenses and Social Services only pay the equivalent of your Housing Benefit.
The exact amount Social Services agree to pay you will be written down in your Pathway Plan.
But it will cover these things:
- Reasonable rent in full.
- £10 a week towards lighting, heating and water rates.
- Living expenses (minimum payment is the same as Benefit Agency "Severe Hardship Allowance").
- Help towards cost of travel to school or college if the actual cost of travel is more than one third of the Education Maintenance Allowance (Grant from the Education Department).
- Cost of necessary equipment for school or college.
The total amount you get per week will not be less than £42.70 plus £10 towards heating etc. and the cost of your accommodation.
If you get Education Maintenance Allowance, it will be disregarded.
If you have other income e.g. wages, benefits, tax credits, they will be taken into account.
If you work full-time and your income is lower than you would get for not working, Social Services will make sure you have a financial incentive to continue working.
If you are in fulltime education, any income you get from part-time work will be ignored up to the level of 40% of the allowance Social Services give you.
If you go to live with your parents, their financial circumstances will be taken into account (they might be expected to help you with money if they can afford it).
Personal Advisor
All care leavers must have a Personal Adviser (usually your social worker, or leaving care worker) to help you deal with education, employment, finances, housing and relationships. The Personal Adviser helps you carry out the things in the Pathway Plan.
Accommodation
Ideally you should be able to stay in the place you have been living until at least your 18th birthday, if that is the best thing for you. If you are going to live by yourself when you leave care you must have adequate accommodation.
South Tyneside Children’s Services have agreements with the District Council Housing Departments and several voluntary agencies that will help you obtain suitable accommodation. If you going away to college, the Leaving Care service must help you find somewhere suitable to live in the holidays.
Young people should not live in unsuitable accommodation like bed and breakfast hotels or homeless hostels.
Staying in Touch
Social Services must stay in touch with you to make sure you are OK until you are at least 19. However once you are 18 and an adult, any contact is completely voluntary - you can chose whether you want to stay in touch or not.
You and your Personal Adviser should work out the best ways to stay in touch. Social Services also help you stay in contact with other people important to you.
Education and Training
Social Services will encourage you to stay on in education/training and to get a good job. If you are in higher education (university), or vocational training, they will help you with money (including the cost of essential books) and accommodation up to your 24th birthday.
Social Services will help you get a job. They will also help you with any special clothing or equipment you might need. If you have a disability they will ensure you get special advice in finding employment.
If you left care before 1st October 2001 you still have a right to "befriending, advice and assistance" from Social Services, however the assistance does not have to be money unless you need help with vacation accommodation while you are studying.
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Who is the Leaving Care Service?
Here is the full list of the team at the leaving care service, with email addresses.
Tony Joyce - Senior Social Worker
- Favourite colour: Black and White!
- Job: Support and assist young people to achieve their aims and aspirations
- Favourite music: Current listening includes The Futureheads (from Sunderland), The Killers, The Strokes and The Kooks. In fact, anything that begins with ‘The’.
- Worked here: Worked for 6 months in 2001, and returned in May 2002.
- One word to describe you: (Yo)unique. As is each and every one of us is.
- Email address: tony.joyce@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: By helping young people to gain confidence and be realistic to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Jenny Armstrong - Personal Advisor
- Favourite colour: Blue
- Job: To get to know my young people and first of all discuss and help them complete the ‘Where I’m At’ assessment followed by the Pathway Plan. Then to provide ongoing emotional and practical advice and support as they make the transition from being a teenager into adulthood.
- Favourite music: All sorts depending upon my mood at the time. Sometimes it’s pop (mainly from the 60’s and 70’s); sometimes rap (in the car, but it does my head in if it’s on for too long!); sometimes songs from musicals; sometimes I listen to Classic FM; sometimes jazz (blues and swing).
- Worked here: 4 years
- One word to describe you: I’m tempted to say old but I’ll say reliable
- Email address: jenny.armstrong@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people by: I help my young people think about the choices they can make and to decide on the best choice for themselves. Also that even when mistakes are made, to help them take control and responsibility in facing up to difficulties to start putting things right and eventually making things better for themselves.
Pat Ewing - Personal Advisor
- Favourite colour: Green
- Job:
To support young people through the process of leaving care and moving in to independence.
- Favourite music: A variety ranging from soul to classical (and lots of Barbara Streisand )
- Worked here: 2 and half years
- One word to describe you: Small
- Email address: pat.ewing@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: Offering consistent support and guidance
Joyce Hudson - Personal Advisor
- Favourite colour: Blue
- Job: Working with young people leaving or who have left care. Supporting them with life skills, education/training/employment, health issues and independent living.
- Favourite music: Popular, classical and country and western
- Worked here: 7 years
- One word to describe you: Honest
- What is your email address: Joyce.Hudson@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: By giving them advice and support which would enable them to live successfully in the community in their own accommodation.
Angela Averill - Accommodation officer
- Favourite colour: blue
- Job: I assist & advise young people in their search for accommodation that will suit their needs.
- Favourite music: James Blunt & Katie Melina
- Worked here: 1 year 6 months
- One word to describe you: Bubbly
- What is your email address: Angela.averill@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: By listening to what their needs are with regards to accommodation & trying to match this up with what is available in the area.
Paul Smyth - Employment / Learning Co-coordinator
- Favourite colour: Green
- Job: Developing opportunities for Young People and supporting them into Employment Education & Training opportunities.
- Favourite music: I like music from the 60’s but listen to all sorts of music.
- Worked here: 2 Years, 1 Month & 2 days
- One word to describe you: Geordie
- What is your email address: paul.smyth@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: I develop opportunities for young people and support them in Employment, Education & Training.
Helen Ord - Social Worker Assistant
- Favourite colour: purple
- Job: My job is to work with both young people and Personal assistants
- Favourite music: I listen to most music apart from classical
- Worked here: 6 months
- One word to describe you: Approachable
- Email address: helen.ord@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: To support young people through the process of leaving care and moving into independence.
Michael Gifford - Social worker
- Favourite colour: Blue
- Job: I work with Care Leavers between the ages of 15 years 6 months and 21, or 24 if in further or higher education. I work with the young person to make the transition from care to independence as successful as possible, while using the Pathway Plan. The young person is offered support, assistance and advice to help this process.
- Favourite music: Stone Roses, Keane, Neil Diamond, Embrace, The Killers, Dusty Springfield, David Gray, The Streets, The Pogues, Meatloaf, Frank Sinatra, The Jam. Everything really!
- Worked here: 3 months
- One word to describe you: Smiler
- Email address: michael.gifford@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: I help young people by listening to their views and opinions and acting upon the information I receive. Even if I am not able to carry out their wishes, I will explain why I am unable or unwilling to do so and attempt to reach a positive conclusion.
Sean Green - Young Persons Advisor
- Favourite colour: blue
- Job: to provide emotional and practical support to young people and to engage young people into the service and other organizations. I also help run the drop-in and publish the newsletter.
- Favourite music: mylo, chilly peppers, chillout tunes, rap, R+B, Gatecrasher. Old skool dance.
- Worked here: 1 ½ years
- One word to describe you:
- Email address: sean.green@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people: To give the young people the tools so they can grow into young adults and manage living independently
Christina Cherrie - Support Services Officer
- Favourite colour:
- Job:
- Favourite music:
- Worked here:
- One word to describe you:
- Email address: christina.cherry@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people:
Sue Cook -Senior Support Services Assistant
- Favourite colour: Red
- Job: To assist the Employment/Learning Co-ordinator with Education/Employment and Training for Young People Leaving Care.
- Favourite music: I like all kinds of music young and old
- Worked here: 2 years 1 month
- One word to describe you: Friendly
- Email address: susan.cook@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people by: My friendly attitude towards the Young People is a quality as they are not afraid to ask for my help with C.V’s and other things they need assistance with.
Ron McHugh - Administration Assistant
- Favourite colour: Green
- Job: Assisting in the smooth running of the Admin Office and acting as a first contact to people coming into the building.
- Favourite music: Doves, Radiohead, Travis, Turin Brakes, Indie Bands generally as well as some Jazz & Blues and Classical music.
- Worked here: 6 weeks.
- One word to describe you:Calm
- Email address:
- Ron.mchugh@southtyneside.gov.uk
- Help young people by: By being accessible and listening to people and helping whenever I can.
>Where is the Leaving Care Service?
Address:
12 -14 Edhill Ave
Simonside
South Shields
NE34 9BJ
Tel. 0191 4272830
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What is the Leaving Care Drop In?
The “drop in” is a fun place to hang out, play pool or watch the latest videos.
It’s somewhere where you can meet other young people who have left care (and so might have some valuable advice), are in the process of leaving care or are going to be leaving soon. The idea is to have fun but also to learn new skills, socialise and get involved in positive activities that you might not normally try!
Other activities that the young people like doing at the drop –in are trips-out for a game of Football or Rounders, going to the Bowling Alley, Quasar Lazar or Rock Climbing, and don’t forget the Cookery Classes and Barbeques - where you can learn to cook like Jamie Oliver.
The activities at the Drop-In change every 8 weeks, click here to find out whats happening now. Or if you want to do anything else at the drop-in, like go carting, paint balling or bike riding just let me (Sean Green) know.
If you like any of the stuff we do at the Drop-In, then why not pop along, it is at the Leaving Care Service at Edhill Avenue and it is on every Thursday from 4.00pm-6.00pm.
If you are unsure how to get there look under, Where is the Leaving Care Service? or ring 0191 4272830 and ask a member of staff how to get there.
