Support for leaving care

Currently future funding and plans for the continuation of the mentoring scheme are  being reviewed.  For a short time, and until further notice, no new referrals  will be accepted.  However, young people currently matched with a mentor will not be affected by the review, and will continue to receive a service as usual.

Catch22 has been providing leaving care services for 20 years. In Kent we've been delivering services since 1987 including the current 16plus service which began in 1999.

We aim to take the fear out of the transition from being in care to being independent. We do this by ensuring that those who are leaving the care of Kent County Council have a safe and stable placement, are supported to achieve in education, are financially secure. And, when the time is right, they are ready to live on their own.

Every young person who transfers to the 16plus service from the Children & Families team is introduced to what support they can expect. A practice supervisor will come and meet them at their looked after child review and invite them to an induction evening to meet the team and other young people who are already receiving support from us.

The young person has a worker who ensures they have a current pathway plan that sets out what their aspirations are and what help they need from us to achieve them.

How can we help?

Involving young people

Our service could not improve without the support of the young people we help. We organise regular local young people forums and other consultation activities to gather their views and ideas. Young people are also involved in commenting on national and local policies that affect them.

Family and friends

We encourage young people to keep in touch with those they value. Previous foster carers, family and friends can all help a young person to feel supported, and it is vital that they feel connected to their community and culture.

Accommodation

We work with young people to help find suitable accommodation that is right for them at each stage of their lives. We work closely with registered social landlords, borough and district councils and the local community to provide a range of accommodation options.

Education, training and employment

We work with Connexions to help young people get the learning and training experiences they need, including support in further and higher education. We also work with education and training providers to improve the opportunities available to young people.

Financial support

We help young people learn to budget whilst ensuring they are claiming the benefits and allowances they are entitled to, and when necessary we can provide financial support. When young people set up home we offer financial help. Instead of giving a fixed amount we assess each young person's needs individually, taking into account their circumstances.

Leisure

We provide activity based programmes which offer positive challenges and informal education. This supports young people to grow their self-esteem and confidence for when they need to make the move to living on their own.

Health and well being

In partnership with our colleagues in the health services we are working towards better access to community health resources and have dedicated staff to support young people in getting the professional help they need.

Our Team

We have a large team of staff experienced and qualified in specific areas such as housing , mental health and education. We work together to assess each young person's needs and support them through their progression to adulthood. We also work closely with our colleagues in other Catch22 services to open up opportunities for young people such as mentoring and training.

To talk to someone about our service please call our County Management Team on 01622 772250 or your local team:

Canterbury/Swale

Whitstable Youth Centre, Tower Parade, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BJ

Tel: 01227 281897

Dover/Thanet

Ramsgate Youth Centre, St Lawrence, High Street, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0QG

Tel: 01843 589296

Mid Kent

Westchurch House, Ashford Family Centre, Godfrey Walk, Ashford, Kent TN23 7XJ

Tel: 01233 645942

West Kent

Youth Centre, St Mary's Road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7BU

Tel: 01322 619039

Catch22, the charity that helps young people out.

Many young people in the UK find themselves in seemingly impossible situations. We believe that every young person deserves the chance to get on in life no matter what. Please help us by getting involved or donating at Catch 22

Before we were Catch22 we were Rainer and Crime Concern, two national charities which merged in 2008. Registered Charity number 1124127