Who do we help?

Our Referral Teams have specific responsibility to assess the needs of young people who are aged 16-18 and away from home.

By in need we mean:

• They are estranged from their family i.e. their parents or previous carer will not have them back; or
• If they want to return home they would be at risk of emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

The Family Support Teams have Community Support staff who work with young people facing these kinds of difficulties and also any care leavers from outside the county who arrive and need help.

They work directly with young people to give practical, hands-on support such as arranging somewhere to live, rent, welfare rights and benefits advice.

What services are provided?

Help with arranging accommodation

This includes emergency or hostel type accommodation and a range of lodgings in the private or voluntary sector. Council run accommodation may also be a possibility.

Assistance with claiming benefits

Our staff have detailed knowledge of a range of benefits including Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, Community Care grants, Social Fund applications and Disability Living Allowances.

They will know what young people are entitled to claim and can help in completing the paperwork.

Other advice

• How to keep safe and away from people who might draw them into harmful lifestyles
  
• How to get medical and contraceptive help.
  
• How to access educational, training and job opportunities.
  
• Community support staff maintain an extensive network of contacts with providers of accommodation, particularly private sector landlords, staff in local authority housing departments, the Benefits Agency, schools and Education Welfare Officers, Career Path and other training providers.