Relationship and parenting support for care leavers

young people hugging

If you've been in care, you may have experienced some loss, trauma or abuse during your childhood. This may still affect you in adulthood. 

Your experiences may impact your relationships with others, for example, professionals, friends, family and intimate partners. If you're about to become a parent yourself you could be worried that your child will have similar experiences. 

We can support you to understand what a healthy relationship is and how to make decisions about who you want in your life.

Talking about your relationships openly with your personal adviser will help us know how much support you need to help you find and maintain healthy relationships.

Relationship support

We may be able to offer you practical and emotional support, such as:

  • where appropriate, continuing to support contact with the independent visitor you had while you were in care
  • helping to maintain or regain contact with people special to you or who cared for you in the past, like former foster carers or social workers
  • helping you maintain or regain contact with members of your family.

If you have lost contact with your family from your country of origin, we will support you by linking you with agencies who help to trace families, for example British Red Cross.

You should let your personal adviser (PA) know who is important to you as we are able to help you contact them. You should also tell us who you would like to have as your next of kin for emergency issues.

Parenting support

As a parent you deserve support, respect, and practical help.

If you're a care leaver, we can help with:

If you're a parent or expecting, you should contact:

  • your social worker
  • your personal adviser.

For extra advice and guidance, contact the Parent Support Practitioner.

If you have more than one need, you can ask your health visitor, or other involved professional, to complete an Early Help Assessment. This can be discussed at a multi-agency meeting to offer you and your family support.

Practical and emotional support

You’re entitled to a dedicated Parent Support Practitioner alongside your allocated personal adviser or social worker.

You can receive home visits in preparation for parenthood. You'll also get ongoing emotional and practical support during home visits.

You can also get access to our Swap Shop, which is a place where you can exchange baby items and get the essentials you need throughout parenthood.

You can access parenting courses and other support through the Early Help Hub, and it may benefit you socially too. These services are for everyone, as all parents need support.

New parent essentials

You'll get a Mum and Dad Box, which is a gift we give to every new parent.

This will include:

  • new baby items
  • hygiene products
  • clothing.

Housing and benefit advice

We'll provide support with housing options for you and your family, whether you're living together or apart from your child.

We'll also provide advice with benefits, including what you're entitled to and how to apply, as well as accessing childcare and schools.

Education, training and employment

You're able to continue in education and training with our Aspirations Officer. They'll support you to access courses, qualifications, and job opportunities.

Support with assessments and meetings

We can help you with any assessments or meetings for you and your baby. Our support will help you understand what's happening.

There are no automatic pre-birth referrals and assessments to children’s services for care leavers. Decisions about support you may need from children’s services are made with professionals and managers alongside you. These decisions are based on individual needs and circumstances.

Partner agencies

We can refer you to our partner agencies, including:

The Medway Family Hub is also a way to access relevant services, events and support.

Health and wellbeing

We can provide advice about contraception, and help accessing it.

We also provide a voucher or grant to new parents to buy essential baby items. This can be used in local supermarkets.

Parent Support Practitioner

The Parent Support Practitioner provides support for care-leavers who are expecting a baby, or already have children.

They can support you to prepare for your baby, the early parenting process and help with navigating your next steps.

To provide the support you need and the best start in life for your children, they'll work with:

  • midwives
  • children's services
  • housing
  • health visiting
  • job centres.

If you'd like to contact the Parent Support Practitioner: