Care experienced young people: Out of area support
You may find that you do not live in Swindon while you are in care or become a care leaver. This is called being placed ‘out of area’. This may mean that you can’t access some of the support Swindon has to offer because you are too far away from Swindon. However, this does not mean that there isn’t any support for you.
As a young person living out of area you are entitled to:
- the same support as every other care experienced young person
- a minimum of monthly contact. Contact is decided by you during conversations with your Pathway Advisor (PA). You can have as little or more much contact as you need.
Your PA will be able to help you find the best support for you no matter what area you are in. You should also be able to access some of the local offers given by other local authorities.
If you are interested in attending university the majority of universities have specific support for care experienced young people. Check out getting into university or speak to your PA about researching what university support you might be able to get.
There are also services that you should be able to access because they are national services.
These include (but are not limited to):
- The Care Leaver’s Association - 0161 826 0214
- The Children’s Commissioner - 0800 528 0731
- Catch-22 - 020 7336 4800
- Child Law Advice
- The Become Charity - 0800 023 2033
- The Rees Foundation (offers support post leaving care as well) - 0330 094 5645
- Coram Voice - 0808 800 5792
- Citizens Advice Bureau - (phone number dependent on area)
- Shelter: help and housing for Care Leavers
- Turn2Us: Care Leavers and benefits
- Youth Employment UK: Supporting Care Leavers - 01536 513388
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) (numbers available per local authority)
- FRANK - 0300 1236600
- The Mix - 0808 808 4994 (also provides a webchat service on their website)
- MIND - 0300 123 3393
- The Samaritans - 116 123
