Feature ‘Calderdale team didn’t let me slip through the net’
Young graduates who recently left care enjoyed a second graduation ceremony as Calderdale Council recognised their achievements in a celebration at Halifax Town Hall. The ceremony was hosted by the Calderdale Leaving Care Service, the Calderdale Council partnership with Prospects, the education, employment and skills company, which supports looked-after children and care leavers in the area.
The Mayor of Calderdale, Coun Lisa Lambert, met young graduates and presented them with cheques to start their new careers in a ceremony celebrating their achievements.
Nationally only six per cent of care leavers attend university, compared to 49 per cent of young people living at home, whereas 19 of the 154 care leavers in Calderdale are in higher education, more than 12 per cent.
The following names have been changed to protect their identities.
LEAH’S STORY
Leah was only four-yearsold when, along with her two older brothers, she was taken into care. Many of her foster placements broke down and she attended several schools, before moving away to live with her aunt when she was 13. A good student Leah always enjoyed school and aimed high, trying her best to achieve success.
Although she was no longer living in Calderdale after year 8 she continued to be supported by Calderdale Council’s Looked After Children Team, ensuring they were there for her whenever she needed them.
When the time came for her to leave school, the team helped Leah and her carers with her move to university, helping with applications, statements and housing. The team even took Leah shopping for all the necessities she re- quired to start her new independent life so she was fully equipped to start afresh.
She always envisaged going to university, however, there were times in her life when she doubted she would achieve her goal. Luckily with support from her foster carers and Calderdale Leaving Care Team, Leah’s dreams became a reality and she was encouraged to go to university.
She got help when she felt confused about which college to go to, what to study and which path to follow and feels if it wasn’t for Calderdale’s leaving care team, from setting her up to start with and for supporting her throughout, she would not have completed her university studies.
Leah said: “Calderdale’s team is full of friendly people who are very supportive in my experience. Rather than an active support and guidance, it was more of a safety net for me. I consider this just as helpful as I am quite driven and ambitious and can thrive knowing I have support behind me. Malcolm, my pathway worker was with me through some difficult times and I will always be appreciative and thankful to have been allocated such a lovely, caring man. ”
Leah has now graduated and is considering a career in social work, with the intention of making a difference to others.
She said she felt this was because of her own experiences and how “Calderdale did not let me slip through the net; instead they helped me to thrive”.
SAEED’S STORY
Saeed went into care when he was 10, spending six years in a children’s home before moving to a foster placement in Huddersfield for three years before going on to university.
As he was always good at maths at school, Saeed felt going on to study maths at university was a natural progression. The Calderdale Council Leaving Care Team and Prospects helped Saeed with the move to university, creating a Pathways Plan, and supporting him with housing and accommodation costs as well as a weekly living allowance.
Saeed achieved a First in applied mathematics and is seeking a career in accountancy or data analysis. The Leaving Care Service is continuing to support Saeed providing work experience and apprenticeship advice. Saeed is looking forward to new opportunities and work.
SIAN’S STORY
Sian entered care in 2002 living with her foster carers for eight years before gaining a place at Leeds Trinity University in 2010.
She always wanted to become a PE teacher, and she planned to complete a one year PGCE in 2013, but was not offered a place. Not to be discouraged Sian made the decision to take a year out and gain relevant experience within a school environment. Experience would help her application to study for her PGCE in 2014.
Sian worked as a teaching assistant for a year, enjoying her time immensely. Working within a classroom gave hervaluable experience, building relationships with school children. She also worked with a young woman with cerebral palsy.
Her hard work paid off and she was offered a place to study for her PGCE in September 2014. She had to work extremely hard during the year, participating in two school placements and completing assignments, but it was all worthwhile as Sian finished with top marks gaining ‘outstanding’ teacher status.
Her goal of becoming a PE teacher has come true and she starts her new career in the United Arab Emirates this summer.
Sian said of the support she received from Calderdale Council’s Leaving Care Service delivered in partnership with Prospects: “It would have been difficult to manage without the financial support I received from Calderdale for my living and accommodation costs.”
Coun Megan Swift, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “We want our young people in care and leaving care to achieve their very best in life. We provide a wide range of services, information and support to help them make the right choices and succeed. We are proud to offer opportunities such as work experience within the council, and have recently committed to providing more apprenticeships for young people in care and leaving care.”
In Calderdale 154 young people are looked after when they leave care by the Calderdale Leaving Care Service. The Service is a partnership between Calderdale Council and Prospects, the education, employment and skills company.
Young people leaving care are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. Action for Children report care leavers are three times more likely to be cautioned or convicted of an offence, four times more likely to have a mental health disorder, five times less likely to achieve five good GCSEs, eight times more likely to be excluded from school and less likely to go to university.
The Calderdale Service provides a team of pathway advisers and social workers providing leaving care and statutory social worker support for Looked After Children aged 15 and a half until they are 21, or they are 25 if they are in education, in Calderdale.
Care leavers need support on a range of issues including accommodation, financial support, entry into employment or training and emotional wellbeing.