The Southend care leavers local offer
The current care leaver offer covers a wide range of support which is provided for by the Care Leaver budget. The offer is designed to cover all aspects of our care leavers lives as they transition into adult life.
We are committed to ensuring that care leavers receive priority services to support you to successfully be prepared for adulthood and independence 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 and are committed to providing the best possible support to meet your individual needs. We aim to identify and promote what is working well in your life, while exploring concerns, assessing the impact of these and planning in partnership with you to address your problems.
If you have spent any time in care after your 16th birthday, then it is very likely that you will get support from the Care Leavers Team, up to age 25.
Please contact us on Careleaver21to25@southend.gov.uk or phone 01702 212087.
Or you can visit us in person. The team are available Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 17:30 and Fridays 09:00 to 16:30. You do not need an appointment; someone will be available to speak with you. The address is 2 Crowborough Road, Southend-on-Sea Essex SS 26LP.
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
- access to a Leaving Care Grant of up to £3,000 alongside, where you are eligible, support from the Local Assistance Scheme to purchase white goods (large electrical goods for the house, such as cookers and washing machines) and furniture
- income maintenance if you are living independently but are too young to claim benefits, or if you are navigating the asylum process (awaiting decision or appealing)
- exemption from paying Council Tax up until the age of 21 when living independently in the Southend City.
- covering the cost for a passport/travel document, and provisional driving licence
- funding for up to 5 driving lessons, depending on circumstance and need
- access to a dedicated advisor for Care Leavers in the Southend Job Centre (Department for Work and Pensions)
- one to one support advice and guidance with debt and financial issues via the Citizen's Advice Bureau
- birthdays and festivals allowance
- clothing allowance for interviews
- there is support available with travel costs needed for the given activity
If you would like further details, please contact the Leaving Care Team either by email LeavingCareAdmin@southend.gov.uk or call us on 01702 212087 between the hours of 9am to 5pm.
