Your relationships
It is important to us that you have good established relationships as you prepare for independence.
What we can offer you
- Your Personal Advisor will form part of your support network.
- Once you reach the age of 18, you are free to contact your family unless there are any specific legal restrictions in place, and it is safe for you to do so.
- We will work with you to promote family time with family and friends who are important to you.
- We also provide an advocacy service for you to access in case you want or need extra support (for instance, with your reviews). This support can be accessed through the Children's Rights Team. childrens.rights@kirklees.gov.uk
- The Children's Rights Team can also put you in contact with independent visitors
Advice and support from a Personal Advisor
Your Personal Advisor is there to help you to prepare to live independently and to offer advice and support after you leave care. Personal Advisors should talk to you about what support you need and record this information in your pathway plan.
Around the time of your 17th birthday, you'll be allocated a Personal Advisor. They will give you advice and guidance and work alongside those already supporting you to help prepare you for living independently (along with your carer and social worker). This will include a plan to help you make the transition from care to independent life - called a Pathway Plan.
Once you turn 18, in most cases, you'll no longer have a social worker. Your Personal Advisor will make sure you get the services you need and help coordinate your pathway plan and reviews.
If you are not in education or training, our support may end around your 21st birthday. However, up to your 25th birthday you can return to us to be assessed for support if you need it.
The support you receive from your Personal Advisor does not need to end on your 21st birthday. You can receive support up to your 25th birthday even if you're not in education, training, or employment.
However, if you feel you no longer need support then that's OK. Your case can be closed but you can request support anytime up to the age of 25. The Care Leavers Service will always be available to contact for advice beyond the age of 25 should you wish to do so.
Abusive relationships
Whenever you are in a relationship you should feel safe, secure, loved, and respected and have no fears about being yourself. Should you feel scared, frightened, isolated or experience any form of harm within a relationship, this could be abuse.
Abuse can be:
- Emotional: being ignored, excluded, or blamed
- Physical: being repeatedly hit or not cared for
- Sexual: being forced to take part in sexual activities in person or through the internet or mobile phones
If you are a victim of abuse, you may not always recognise this as abuse. You may see your abuser as your partner and someone you do not want to get in trouble or lose from your life.
It isn't your fault if you are being abused. You shouldn't feel guilty, scared, or ashamed. Your Personal Advisor is there to offer you support and advice. Please reach out if you need this alternatively, these services may be able to support you.
If you are a victim of sexual exploitation:
- Childline - for free and confidential advice and support
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre: The internet, relationships and you - for worries about sexual exploitation online
