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Looked after children and care leavers

The Promise Tree

The Promise Tree was develop from listening to young people’s thoughts and wishes about being in care in Darlington. This is a set of promises that Darlington has made to all children in care.

Open the Promise Tree [pdf document]

Your guide to being in care

These guides are for children and young people who are in care.

They will help you to understand some of the changes in your life right now and help to answer any questions you may have.

Your Social Worker or Foster Carer should give you one of these guides. If not please feel free to download and print a copy out to keep.

If you have any questions about the guides or if you have a question the guide does not answer please email us at;

Consultation Groups

Our Life (formerly Darlo Care Crew)

‘Our Life (formerly Darlo Care Crew) is a group for children who are aged 5-11 years old and are children in care. The group meet once a month and look at issues that affect children in the care of Darlington Borough Council. This allows key decision makers to hear directly what is needed from the young people themselves. The group also have time to bond as a group and sometimes go on trips to say thank you for their support.

If you have a young person who would be interested in attending, please contact;

Still Our Life

The Still Our Life group is a group for children in care who are aged 12-16 years old.

The group is based on consultation to ensure that young people are listened to on decisions that are being made around the local area and within Darlington Borough Council.  Within the group, you will have the opportunity to have your say on issues and matters that are important to you and will be taken seriously.

These opinions will then be feedback to key decision makers. You may even have the opportunity to meet with decision makers yourself and have your voice directly heard by them. The group will meet on a regular basis and will include sessions to build friendships and rapport with the group.

If you have a young person who would be interested in attending or want to attend yourself please contact;

Girls Group

Within the Looked After Through Care Team, we also have a Girls Group for girls who are secondary school age. The purpose of this group is to offer a girl only group where young girls can meet in a safe space and have a chat. They will also have opportunities to do fun things such as crafts and other activities to help them form friendships within the group.

If yourself or a young person you know is interested in attending, please contact Evie Burford [email protected]

Care Leavers

Are you a care leaver who wants to have their voice heard on matters that are important to you? Find out more about participation as a care leaver.

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Things to do in Darlington

Live card

Did you know you can get free leisure with the Live Card? If you don’t have a card ask your Social Worker.

With the Live card you can access for free:

  • casual swimming
  • swimming lessons
  • access to Under The Sea soft play
  • access to Move More sport & activity sessions
  • free induction and access to Dolphin Centre
    Gym (age and time restrictions apply)

For terms and conditions see the Darlington Live Card fact leaflet [pdf document] 

The Max Card

Free or discounted entry to loads of great attractions [external link]

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Who’s who in Children’s Services and what do they do?

Link to the Who's who document [pdf document]

Education

Choices Together years 10 &11 an opportunity to find out what it’s like to be a university student.

The North East Raising Aspiration Partnership [external link]

Is Higher Education for me?

Propel - Higher Education guidance [external link]

Darlington virtual school

Our role is to:

  • Promote the Educational Achievement of children looked after by Darlington Borough Council
  • Ensure that Pupil Premium Plus funding is used effectively to promote their education progress
  • Provide expert advice, guidance and training to professionals and carers involved with looked after and previously looked after children.

Darlington Virtual School works with looked after children and young people aged 2 to post 16.

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Do you know your Rights?

Your Rights Explained

  • IMO [external link] was created by the Children’s Commissioner for England. It is a voice for teenagers in care and for care leavers. It is somewhere you can share stories, experiences and achievements, get and give advice, and find loads of great free stuff!

Children's Rights in England [external link]

What is an Advocacy

Advocacy is about supporting you to make sure that your rights are respected, and your views and wishes are always heard. This is done by an Advocate working with you to:

  • giving you an opportunity to speak confidentially to someone who is independent.
  • being with you when you have appointments or meetings.
    speaking up for you, if you want them to.
  • giving you information about the different ways that you can raise your concerns.
  • helping you to think about what you would like to achieve or want to change.
  • This is a short clip, advocacy explained to young children [external link]

If you are not happy about something what can you do?

  • Contact the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), they can support and listen to you if you feel your wishes and feelings are not being heard by anyone, NYAS website [external link]
  • The NYAS app is available on Android [external link] and Apple devices [external link]

How do I make compliments, comments and complaints about children's social care?

Looking After Your Mental Health

If you are aged between 11 and 18 and live or study in Darlington and finding the current situation hard to cope with you can call a dedicated helpline being delivered by the Listening Post and Darlington Mind, from 1st April 2020.

You do not need to be already accessing or waiting to access The Listening Post or Darlington MIND to utilise this support and the service is completely free; if you need information, advice or support then please make contact via the details below and we will do what we can to help. 

The Listening Post will be offering a dedicated service from 10am - 12pm each weekday (Monday-Friday) from 1st April 2020. To access this support please contact 07847 933799 between 10am – 12pm Monday to Friday.

If the telephone line is busy or unavailable you can also contact the service via email at [email protected].

Darlington MIND will also be offering a dedicated service from 1:30 - 4:30pm each weekday (Monday-Friday) from 1st April 2020.

To access this support please contact 07432 843161 between 1:30 - 4:30pm. If the telephone line is busy or unavailable please make contact with MIND via emailing [email protected]

Kooth

Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community for Young people aged 11 to 18-year olds

“I really like how you can share your problems anonymously and have help from others. It makes me feel accepted and that people will not judge Me.”

What is an IRO and what is a Looked After Review?

What is a Looked After Review? [pdf document]

Leaving Care

Your pathway plan says how the council will help you prepare to live independently

What’s a pathway plan and why is it important? [pdf document]

The council has a duty to provide the following financial assistance once you turn 18

Financial support for Care Leavers [pdf document]

Are you willing to accept support and do not want, or are not ready, to live alone?

Supported Lodging what is it who is for? [pdf document]

Stay safe online

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Useful links

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Install our web app.