The current care leaver offer covers a wide range of support. This is provided for by the Care Leaver budget. The offer is designed to cover all aspects of our care leavers lives as they make their way into adult life.
We are committed to making sure that care leavers get priority services.
This support:
- will better help you to prepare for adulthood and independence
- continues for as long as you want up until you are 25 years old
As corporate parents, we:
- take our duties toward care leavers very seriously
- are committed to providing the best possible support to meet your individual needs
We also aim to identify and promote what is working well in your life, by:
- exploring concerns
- assessing their impact
This planning (in partnership with you) helps to address any problems.
If you have spent any time in care after your 16th birthday, then it is likely that you will get support from Leaving Care Team.
The type of support you will receive, and what you are entitled to may differ. This is based on a number of factors including:
- your level of support needs
- your age at the time we started to look after you
- how long you spent in care
Your Personal Advisor will explain this to you in full when you are first introduced to them.
We are committed to supporting you having a happy life by helping you to:
- learn the skills to look after yourself independently
- live in safe, secure and suitable accommodation
- be healthy and have knowledge of the services available to you
- engage in education, training or employment
- understand your rights and Southend's responsibilities to you
Our local offer to you
Financial support
- Leaving Care Grant: access up to £3,000, depending on your age and level of need
- Local Assistance Scheme (if eligible) to help with purchasing:
- white goods
- large electrical items (for example: cookers and washing machines)
- furniture
- additional financial support if you do not have access to benefits.
- Council Tax exemption: if you live in Southend, you won't pay Council Tax until age 21
- Birthday payment of £50 into your bank account for ages 18 to 21 (if you are accessing a service from the team)
- Higher Education University Bursary package, to support you to continue your studies beyond A-Levels
Identification and mobility
- passport/travel document: costs covered for one application
- provisional driving licence: costs covered for one application
- birth certificate: costs covered for one copy
- funding for up to 5 driving lessons once you have passed your theory test (depending on needs and circumstances)
Employment and benefits support
A Care Leaver Advisor at Southend Job Centre can help with:
- understanding benefit entitlements
- gaining employment
- clothing allowance for job interviews
- travel costs related to specific activities
Advice and guidance
Debt advice from services like Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Contact us
- email: Careleaver21to25@southend.gov.uk, if you are closed to the service and you would like further support
- email: leavingcareteam@southend.gov.uk for general enquiries
- call: 01702 212087
If you would prefer, you can visit us in person. The team are available:
- Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm
- Fridays 9am to 4:30pm
You do not need an appointment, and someone will be available to speak with you.
The address is 2 Crowborough Road, Southend-on-Sea Essex SS 26LP.