Building and sustaining loving relationships

Having positive relationships and a strong support network can make a big difference to your wellbeing, confidence, and independence. We recognise that relationships are important throughout your life and are committed to supporting you to maintain, build, and strengthen connections with the people who matter to you.

Support from your Personal Adviser

Your Personal Adviser (PA) will work alongside you to identify the people who are important in your life and support you to maintain these relationships where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Discussions about your relationships, support networks, and emotional wellbeing will form part of your Pathway Plan and will be reviewed regularly.

We take a whole-council approach to supporting care leavers and recognise the importance of providing lifelong relationships and support.

Advocacy

You have the right to have your views, wishes, and feelings heard. If you feel you need additional support to express your views or understand decisions being made about you, we can help you access an independent advocate.

An advocate is someone who will listen to you, help you understand your rights, and speak on your behalf if you would like them to. Information about advocacy services can be accessed through NYAS [external link]

Understanding your history and identity

Accessing your records

You have the right to request access to your care records. Your PA can support you to make this request and explain the process. We understand that reading information about your life and experiences can bring up a range of emotions. Your PA will be available to support you throughout the process to ensure information is shared sensitively and that you can discuss any questions or feelings that arise.

Virtual Memory Box

Understanding your personal history and preserving important memories can play an important role in developing your sense of identity and belonging. Your Personal Adviser can support you to create a Virtual Memory Box where you can safely store photographs, memories, achievements, important documents and other items that are meaningful to you. Darlington has a dedicated PA Champion who can provide additional support to help you create and maintain your Virtual Memory Box, ensuring you have a secure place to keep and access important information about your life journey.

Bereavement and loss

Experiencing bereavement, loss, or significant changes in relationships can be difficult. Your PA can offer support and help you access appropriate services, counselling, or specialist organisations that can provide additional advice and emotional support.

Young People's Hub

Our Young People's Hub provides a welcoming space where care leavers can access information, advice, and support from the Leaving Care Team.

Leaving Care Team
12A Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5PW

The Hub is open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Building social connections

We want you to have opportunities to meet other young people, develop friendships, and build positive support networks.

Darlington offers a Peer Mentoring Service, which can provide support from individuals with lived experience who understand some of the challenges young people may face.

We have also commissioned Stronger Families, who can provide a befriending service to support young people in developing positive and trusting relationships.

Identity, culture and belonging

We recognise that your identity is an important part of who you are. We will support you to understand and celebrate your identity, culture, heritage, faith, beliefs, disability, sexual orientation and personal experiences.

If there are communities, groups, activities or services that are important to you, your PA can help you access these and build connections that promote a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Where appropriate, we will also support you to maintain connections with family members, significant people and places that are important to your life story and identity.

Getting involved

We encourage care leavers to have a voice in shaping services. Our Care Leaver Participation Group meets monthly and provides opportunities for you to share your views, influence service development, and meet other young people with care experience.

The Leaving Care Team also organises a range of activities and events throughout the year. Information about upcoming activities will be shared by your PA.

Celebrating success

Each year, we hold a Care Leavers Celebration Event which all care leavers are invited to attend. This event recognises and celebrates the achievements, successes, and milestones of our young people. These can be related to education, employment, training, independence, personal development, or other accomplishments that are important to them.

Ongoing support

We understand that relationships continue to develop and change over time. Your PA will continue to work with you to identify and strengthen your support networks. They will help you access services and opportunities that promote positive relationships, community connections, and a sense of belonging.