Local Offer for care experienced young people

Find out more about support for young people aged between 18 and 25 who have previously been looked after.

We are your corporate parent. This means we have a responsibility to support you as you move into adulthood and independent living, and to help you achieve your goals.

What the Local Offer provides


If you are aged 18–25 and have been in care, you may be entitled to support from us and our partner organisations through the Local Offer for Care-Experienced Young People.

Support is provided by the 16+ Young People’s Service and may include:

  • a Personal Adviser (PA)
  • a Pathway Plan
  • support with housing, money, education, training and employment
  • health and wellbeing support
  • help to stay safe and build independence
  • access to local activities, services and discounts

Support can continue up to your 25th birthday.

Eligibility

Your entitlement depends on how long you were looked after and your age.

If you were looked after for less than 13 weeks (Qualifying Young Adult)

You may still be entitled to advice and assistance. We can:

  • offer information, advice and guidance
  • complete a needs assessment
  • provide financial support linked to education or training
  • help with accommodation during university holidays if you have no other home
  • signpost you to other services

If you were looked after for 13 weeks or more

Aged 18 to 21

We will:

  • allocate a Personal Adviser
  • create and review a Pathway Plan every six months
  • support education, training and employment
  • help with housing and living costs
  • provide a Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA)
  • offer a higher education bursary if you attend university
  • keep in regular contact
     

Aged 21 to 25

You can request support at any time. We will:

  • complete a needs assessment
  • provide a Personal Adviser if needed
  • agree a Pathway Plan
  • keep in touch at least once a year
  • ensure you access the right services and entitlements

Types of support

Needs Assessment and Pathway Plan

Your Pathway Plan is written with you and reviewed regularly. It covers:

  • education, employment and training
  • health and wellbeing
  • housing and independent living
  • money and budgeting
  • relationships and safety

Personal Adviser

Your Personal Adviser:

  • is a trusted adult
  • helps you plan for independence
  • supports education, work and housing
  • helps with benefits and money
  • keeps in regular contact

Independent Visitors

You, your Social Worker or your Personal Adviser can request an Independent Visitor (IV). An IV is a volunteer who will spend time with you once a month, doing activities that you enjoy. They will see you for a minimum of a year, or longer if you want the relationship to continue and they are able to maintain it. The idea is for you to have an adult you can trust who is not supporting you in a professional capacity. They are only there to see you and spend time with you.
Independent Visitors are trained volunteers who:

  • spend time with you doing activities you enjoy
  • offer consistent, non-professional support
  • are independent from social care

Other support services

Housing and homelessness support

Education, employment and training

Money, benefits and advice

Health and wellbeing

Digital support

The Croydon Cares app is a dedicated digital platform designed to support care-experienced young people in Croydon,  as they transition to independent living. Co-designed with care-experienced individuals, the app offers a range of features tailored to meet your need. 

Watch this video to hear directly from our young people on what the app means to them

 
The app is available for free download on both the App Store and Google Play. 

Advocacy and your rights

It is important for you to know what to do if you feel you are not being listened to. Children’s services are here to protect you from harm and provide you with support and services that meet your needs. 

You can contact Coram Voice to access their advocacy service, if you wish to talk to someone about your issue. To learn more, visit www.coramvoice.org.uk. You can also contact them on 0808 800 5792 or email them at help@coramvoice.org.uk.


You can access independent advocacy to:

  • understand your rights
  • be heard in decisions
  • get support with complaints

Learn about the advocacy service.

Contact the 16+ Young peoples service

1st Floor, Turnaround Centre
51–55 South End, Croydon CR0 1BF
Tel: 020 8760 5519
Email: CEYPduty@croydon.gov.uk

Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Emergency out-of-hours support:
020 8726 6400