We’re looking for local businesses and organisations to help improve the support available to care-experienced young people taking their first steps into the adult world.
Lincolnshire County Council has signed up to the Care Leavers Covenant, a national programme encouraging public, private and voluntary sector organisations to offer additional support to young people who have been in care.
We’re now looking for other local businesses and organisations to help our efforts to offer more opportunities to care-experienced young people aged 16-25 in areas such as employment, education, training, housing, health and wellbeing, and access to services.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, said: “We work tirelessly to ensure that our young people in our care can go on to have a successful adult life. We already provide a wide range of support to help them find their feet, just like any other parent does, but we always want to do more – that’s why we’ve signed up to the covenant.
“The covenant offers better access to national employment, training and internship opportunities, including ring‑fenced Civil Service internships. However, we want to go further, so we’re asking local businesses and organisations to come forward. So, if you think you can offer a helping hand to our young people as they take their first steps into adulthood, please do get in touch.”
One local organisation that is already offering care-experienced young people support is Anglian Water. They have a variety of discounted tariffs with care leavers being eligible for up to 50% off their water bill.
Stacey Otter, Customer Service Partnership Manager at Anglian Water, said: “We encourage all care leavers to complete our Extra Care Assessment when taking on their own property. This is a short questionnaire that will unlock different tariffs. It also identifies additional financial assistance they may be eligible for, such as government benefits and warm homes grants.
“They can also benefit from the free mental health support offered by our partners Shout, the UK’s first and only free text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope. Customers can text WATER to 85258 to access free, confidential support any time of the day or night and it won’t show up on your bill.
“We offer support to a really wide range of people. So, if you’re finding it hard to pay your bills, or need a more tailored, bespoke service, talk to our specially-trained Priority Services team on 0800 232 1951, and we’ll find the right support for you.”
If your business or organisation would like to help give care-experienced young people a better start to their adult life, please email paul.fisher@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Young people who have been in the council’s care can find out more about the support available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/leavingcare