In prison or leaving prison

As a care leaver, we understand that you may not have family or a support network around you whilst you are in custody or preparing to be released. 

Lambeth Council are corporate parents for children looked after and care leavers, and we aim to provide the best support available for you to cope with your sentence and help you on your release. 

It is important that you give consent for your information to be shared by the prison with us, to enable you to get the right support.

A personal advisor (PA) will be your main point of contact with the council and will help you to access practical and emotional support. They will work with you to develop a pathway plan to understand what your needs are and how best we can meet those needs, while you are in prison, to plan for your release and when you are living back in the community. 

If you are over 18, your PA will visit you at least every 8 weeks. Your PA will support you until you reach 25 years old. 

We have developed a leaflet to help you understand the support you should receive from your PA, prison staff and the probation service. Please read support for care leavers in custody - a young person's guide (PDF 591KB).

You can also visit On the Out, a website for young people who have spent time in prison, with support and advice on how to rebuild your life on release.