Are you entitled to access support from the information, advice and guidance service?
- are you a care experienced young person aged between 21 - 25?
- were you a qualifying care experience young person?
- were you placed on a special guardianship order?
- were you homeless or on remand for one day or more when you were aged 16 or 17?
If the answer is yes you may be entitled to our information, advice and guidance (IAG) service.
Our offer to you
We recognise that every young person's journey into adulthood is different. Turning 21 or being a qualifying care experienced young person does not mean support ends.
We remain committed to providing information, advice and guidance to help you achieve your goals, overcome challenges and continue to build your independence until your 25th birthday.
Our post-21 and qualifying IAG service is designed to be flexible and responsive to your individual needs. We will work alongside you, offering support when needed whilst encouraging you to develop the confidence and skills to manage day-to-day life independently with support from your support network.
What is information, advice and guidance (IAG)?
Information, advice and guidance is support that helps you:
- to access information about services and opportunities available to you
- understand your options and make informed decisions
- receive advice about challenges you may be experiencing
- find practical solutions to problems
- connect with specialist services and community resources
- build the confidence and skills to access support independently in the future
While we may provide practical support at times, the purpose of the IAG service aim is to empower you to make informed choices and strengthen your ability to reach out to people and agencies in the community who will be able to support you into adulthood.
Who can access the service?
The IAG service is available up to your 25th birthday for care experienced young people, including qualifying young people who request support from age 16-25.
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to support, please contact us on 01522 575955 and we will discuss your individual circumstances.
What changes after age 21 or becoming a qualifying young person?
As you become more independent, the type of support you receive may change. Rather than intensive support from a named personal advisor, support is more likely to focus on providing information, advice and guidance.
You will be offered a needs assessment when needed and we will regularly review with you what level of support feels right.
Any reduction in support will only happen following conversations with you. We want to make sure you feel confident and ready before any changes are made.
If you move to a less intensive level of support, this does not mean support has ended. You can still access the leaving care service whenever you need us.
Stepping forward and stepping back
We understand that life circumstances can change.
Stepping forward
When things are going well and you feel confident managing independently, support may become less intensive. We will continue to keep in touch and ensure you know how to access support if needed.
Stepping back
If circumstances change and you need additional support, you can step back into a higher level of involvement from the service. This may happen if you experience issues relating to:
- accommodation or housing
- benefits or finances
- employment or education
- emotional wellbeing
- parenting
- returning from custody
- any significant life event or crisis
You do not need to wait until a problem becomes serious before contacting us. You can reach out any time.
Support available through short-term interventions
Where additional support is needed, we can offer a focused short-term intervention, usually lasting up to three months.
These interventions may include support with:
- preventing homelessness or securing accommodation
- managing benefits or financial difficulties
- budgeting and money management
- accessing education, training or employment
- emotional wellbeing and resilience
- accessing health services
- parenting support
- re-engaging with services
- planning for independence
At the end of the intervention, we will review progress with you and discuss any further support that may be required.
How we can help
The IAG team can support you by:
- providing Information, advice and guidance
- completing annual keep in touch calls with you yearly
- undertaking short-term interventions when you might need it
- supporting with accommodation and housing issues
- providing advice around benefits and finances
- supporting budgeting and money management
- helping you access education, employment and training opportunities
- providing guidance around health and wellbeing
- supporting you around parenting when needed
- supporting you if you are in custody or returning to the community from custody
- signposting and referring to specialist and community services
- helping you develop the confidence and skills to access services independently
- regular newsletters with information, opportunities and local offers
- a birthday card each year
- send you festive cards
- opportunities to reconnect with the service whenever needed
If you are still in education?
If you are in higher education such as university or taking part in a care leavers apprenticeship, you can continue to have support from your named personal advisor until you complete your studies or apprenticeship.
We will talk with you about what level of contact feels right for you and whether continuing with your personal advisor or moving to information, advice and guidance support would best meet your needs.
Additional support and entitlements
As a Lincolnshire care experienced young person, you may also be able to access:
- your new homes grant up to age 25 years old
- council tax relief up to age 25 years old
- free access to leisure facilities across Lincolnshire districts and beyond
- free NHS prescriptions up to age 25 through Lincolnshire NHS partners
- additional support available through to 25 years old
- Connect to Support and other community services
Whether you are receiving regular support, have stepped forward from services, or have not been in contact for some time, you can return for advice, guidance, and support at any point up to your 25th birthday.
We are always here if you need us. A conversation can make a difference, so please get in touch 01522 575955.