The Basics 16-20

At 18, you will be allocated a Leaving Care worker, who will be either a Personal Advisor or a Social Worker. Your worker will try to see or speak to you at least every 8 weeks and much more often when you need us more.

During office hours

During office hours there will always be someone available from the Leaving Care Service who can help you if your allocated worker is not available. You can reach us by calling on 0208 356 4603 or emailing leavingcareservice@hackney.gov.uk. 

Outside of office hours

Outside of office hours, in an emergency, you can access advice from our Emergency Duty Team. They can be contacted on 020 8356 2710;

Your Pathway Plan

You will have a Pathway Plan that is updated with your input every 6 months. Your Pathway Plan will look at the things like where you live, your finances, keeping safe, your physical and emotional health, your options for employment, education and training, and your relationships with people who are important to you. It is also a record of the specific support that we will provide you.

As part of your Pathway Planning process, we will review with you where you are at in your journey towards independence and offer you advice, support and - where needed - relevant training opportunities to support you on this journey e.g. around budgeting and developing your cooking skills.

Access to Your Records

Your practitioner will offer to search for and help you make sense of any information in your Children’s Social Care files that you want to explore, at any time you want to do this.

Knowing Your Rights

You will be able to access independent advocacy through Hackney’s Children’s Rights Officers at any time, for example if you are unhappy with the service you receive from us or others.