Cornwall’s 16 Plus Team is a partnership between Cornwall Council and Carefree Cornwall.
Carefree Cornwall is a charity which provides part of the service we offer to young people who are living in, and leaving care. Together we aim to improve the life chances of these young people. The team provides support and advice to young people between the ages of 15 years 9 months and 21 years. We can support someone up to the age of 24 if they are in higher education.
The service also runs a 16+ Supported Lodgings Scheme. This provides supported accommodation for care leavers aged 16 and 17 to help prepare them for independence.
Cornwall’s 16 Plus Team is made up of a Team Manager in Cornwall Council who works alongside the Carefree Manager. The entire team has over 20 workers who cover the whole county. We work with any young people placed in Cornwall, or young people from Cornwall living out of the county. Workers are based all across Cornwall. We do not run a duty or drop-in service.
What the team does:
We work with young people who are currently in local authority care as they 'age out' of the care system. This looks like:
preparing young people for the time when they are no longer in care
providing advice and assistance after they leave care
supporting them through the transition from being in care to independent living
improving the life chances of young care leavers
Young People are transferred to the 16 Plus Team at 16. They are allocated a 16 Plus Social Worker who works with them until 18. They are also allocated their own Personal Advisor, who will work with them from 16 to 21, or 24 if in higher education. This is a different person to the Social Worker. Both work with the young person to assess their needs and wishes, then help them develop their Pathway Plan. They will also work with them to put the Pathway Plan into action.
Pathway Plan
The Pathway Plan covers all the important areas for a person. This includes:
health
education, training and employment
relationships and support
identity and culture
practical skills
personal skills
where you live
The 16 Plus team workers will keep in contact with their young person to regularly review the Pathway Plan. It will be regularly updated as needs and situations change. In addition we work closely with other organisations. This includes services such as housing, careers, youth work, Youth Offending, the Benefits Agency. We will also work closely with Cornwall Council's services for adults, colleagues in the NHS and many others.
Care Leavers Local Offer
This Offer sets out the principles and the process for supporting young people leaving care. This guidance is for us, as Cornwall Council, and other agencies. Our aim is to make sure that you get support to achieve your potential as you transition to adulthood and independence.
View the Local Offer for Care Leavers
Carefree Cornwall
Carefree Cornwall provides a high quality leaving care service on our behalf.
Care leavers have a personal adviser who can provide support with:
information, advice and guidance
making plans for your future
identity and independence
health, welfare and accommodation
education and training
apprenticeship and employment
financial assistance
What the law says
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
The Government passed the Children (Leaving Care) Act in 2000. It tells us what we must do to support young people leaving care.
Care Leavers' Charter
The Government has set out a list of what Local Authorities must do to support young people leaving care. We work with this, and do more than the recommendations.
View the Care Leavers' Charter
Care Leavers' Strategy
The Government also published a Care Leavers Strategy - "Keep On Caring" (July 2016). This helps to set our priorities and how we help young people leaving care.