We provide support for young people who are in the process of leaving care and aiming to live independently. We have a duty of care for young people who are looked after or accommodated at, or after, their school leaving date and who are between the ages of 16 and 26.
You can contact us with any enquiries on 01546 605517.
What we offer:
Personal support
- Help and support with family relationships
- Emotional support.
- Providing support to address health problems, mental health, drug and alcohol issues
Education and employment
- Supporting you to identify and apply for courses
- Supporting you with the costs of travelling to training or college
- Supporting you to find employment, and if required assistance on how to apply for benefits from JobCentre Plus
Housing
- Supporting you to identify and apply for suitable accommodation.
- Financial support for rent, maintenance or winter fuel payments
- Assistance to furnish your property.
Support
Once a date has been agreed for you to leave care, your Throughcare & Aftercare Worker will begin working with you and your social worker. We can support you at reviews to ensure that you and others have the opportunity to express your opinion about how soon we become involved in supporting you.
Pathway
Before leaving care young people will have a plan which is usually done in partnership with the young person and their allocated Throughcare & Aftercare worker. We will then work together to develop a "Pathway" plan to ensure you have a smooth transition from care. Your Pathway plan will be reviewed at least every 6 months.
This plan will reflect the young person’s needs and hopes for their future and covers areas such as:
- Family and Friends.
- Health and Wellbeing.
- Where they will live.
- Education and Training.
- Lifestyle.
- Learning and Employment
- Money
- Rights and legal issues
If you chose Continuing Care then a Welfare Assessment will be completed to ensure that your needs are being met and are able to stay where you are presently living.
How long you can expect to receive support?
You can return to Throughcare & Aftercare Services for advice guidance and assistance any point up until your 26th birthday. A pathways assessment will be completed to determine your eligible need.
Legislation
The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
The Children & Young People Act 2014 replaces the categories of young people to be supported from April 2015, any young person born from the 1st April 1999 who continue to be looked after and accommodated on reaching their 16th birthday are entitled to receive a service.
You can find out more about your rights as a care experience young person and Continuing Care and Aftercare at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2014/8/part/4/enacted
The Promise - On 5th February 2020, a promise was made to Scotland’s infants, children, young people, adults and families.
By 2030, it must be kept. https://thepromise.scot/
The National Care Standards
https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-care-standards-guide/
We also work closely with many service providers which you might find helpful
In support of youth employment, SDS is one of the delivery partners for the Scottish Government's guaranteed offer of a place in education or training for all 16 to 19-year-olds through Opportunities for All.
Advice and information on Scottish child law and children’s rights.
Contact on: 0800 328 8970 (mobiles) 0300 330 1421
Homelessness
If you become homeless or are about to become homeless contact our housing for advice and guidance at:
Groups, advice, volunteering and other opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people.
Contact on: Need to Chat or Text (Mon-Fri) 07984 356 512 or Text Line: 07786 202 370
Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
Promotes and safeguards the rights of children and young people living in Scotland.
Contact on: FREEPHONE 0800 019 1179
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, phone in, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards
Contact on: 0800 1111
Young Scot is the national information and citizenship organisation supported by the Scottish Government for young people aged 11-26 in Scotland. The declared aim of the organization is to make young people informed, incentivised and active citizens through the information they provide.
Contact on: 0808 801 0338
Who Cares? Scotland supports care experienced young people to ensure that their voice is heard and their views are expressed in decisions which affect their lives. We provide Advocacy for Children and Young People and many more independent services.
Contact on: 0141 226 4441
Complaints
We strive to provide high quality, person-centred service. However, if you feel that you are unhappy with the service you have received, you have a legal right to complain.
If you are unhappy with Throughcare & Aftercare Services, please see our complaints procedure.
Contact us
If there is anything else you want to know, please feel free to contact us on 01546 605517.