Leaving care team

This service is made up of social workers and support staff. They are employed by Lambeth Social Services.

The service aims to:

• make sure that looked after children reach their full potential in all aspects of their life
• make sure that looked after children receive quality services that meet their needs and promote their independence
• help care leavers into further education, employment and training.

Who is the service for?

The service is for:

• young people who at the age of 16 are looked after by Lambeth Council or are preparing to leave the care of Lambeth Social Services
• young people between 18 and 21 (and up to 24 in higher education) who have been looked after by the Council and are entitled to Leaving Care Services from the Council (Leaving Care Act 2000)

The service starts preparing leaving care plans for young people when they are 15 and takes responsibility for them when they reach 16.

• at age 16 all looked after children care leavers will have a personal advisor in addition to their allocated social worker
• the Aimhi Project delivers the Personal Advisory Service on behalf of Lambeth Social Services and in partnership with the Leaving Care Team and St Christopher's Fellowship.

What does the service do?

The service makes sure that young people leaving the care of Lambeth Social Services are helped to achieve their potential in education, career and employment.

It also helps them develop the skills they need to live independently. It will ensure that young people who were in care when they were 16 and who have now reached 19 years of age:

• are in employment, studies or training
• have their own tenancy and are living in good, permanent accommodation
• maintain contact with Social Services at age 19.

Working in partnership with other organisations, the team aims to make sure that there is support available for young people in the community.

Useful links

St Christopher's Fellowship
St Christopher's provide the Aimhi leaving care service in partnership with Lambeth Social Services, and is the only children's charity that is also a housing association; providing a unique combination of care, accommodation, housing, education, training and support to children, young people and vulnerable adults.