The Permanence & Transition service takes responsibility for the young people that the department plans long-term local authority care for – including those who qualify for support as care leavers. The emphasis here is on stability, education, health and participation.
It is a joined-up approach that means we can offer a consistent social work service as soon as we know that the young person will be staying in our care. It also means that social workers are able to focus on the critical tasks of promoting stability in the children’s placements and supporting their educational and social development.
It is a different way of doing things – one that is a direct result of consultation with the young people themselves. They told us that they were frightened by the introduction of a leaving care worker around their 16th birthday, which, with social and school pressures, is already a busy time in any adolescent’s life. This new team is able to introduce the planning for independence as an integral part of the young person’s care plan early on, avoiding unnecessary distress while providing better all-round assistance.
A small group of workers also undertake assessment and support work for young people who are present as a result of the Southwark ruling. Working under the supervision and guidance of the Advanced Professionals and forging strong links across a range of relevant departments, they make sure that the young people’s needs are met in a timely and effective manner.
The team also works with all ‘eligible’ and ‘relevant’ care leavers from the age of 16 to 21 (24 if they’re in higher education).
The service provides young people with help with their housing, education, training and careers, as well as finances, immigration and health. There’s also a confidential counselling service. The team also supports all young people from 18 years who come under the category of ‘Former Relevant Children’.