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Looked After Children and Care Leavers

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Who is a Looked After Child or Care Leaver?

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, the definition of a Looked After Child is a person under the age of 18 currently under the care of the local authority. A Care Leaver is someone between 18 and 25 years of age who is still receiving support.

How we support Looked After Children and Care Leavers

  • Further education and apprenticeships

    Prior to entry into College you will be invited to College for visits and additional College taster sessions.

    You may also have meetings arranged with key people to complete initial academic and non-academic assessments, which may include specialist support assessment and liaison with the following:

    • Your social worker
    • Your home
    • Your carers
    • Virtual high schools
    • Your Personal Assistants (PA)
       

    Upon entry to the College you will have access to all of the appropriate support from a dedicated team and a named key person, who will keep in contact with you throughout your college journey.

    While at College you have access to:

    • Up to £1,200 worth of funding (which could include a travel pass and bursary) and free meals if you're in care or receiving certain benefits (eligibility applies)
    • Contact and link established with your external support, e.g. home, carers, social worker etc.
    • Action planning to ensure clear expectations of course requirements and a structured Careers interview
    • Ongoing support, tailored to you individual needs
    • Referral and link to specialist internal and external support as required

  • Aged 16-24 and starting an apprenticeship?

    As a care leaver, starting an apprenticeship, you will be able to apply for a bursary which is currently £3000. This is paid in instalments over the first year of the apprenticeship.

    This will be discussed as part of the financial appointment at the signup meeting for your apprenticeship.

    Read the Government Guidance for more information.
     

    Higher Education - SUCCEED

    SUCCEED is specifically for Care Leavers, carers and students who do not have contact with their families, who are studying at degree level.

    Through SUCCEED, these students can access:

    • £1,000 bursary for each year of study
    • Dedicated Higher Education Learning Mentor offering ongoing support
    • Regular one-to-one study skills and/or wellbeing sessions
    • Other College services on a priority basis
       

    For more information about SUCCEED contact our SUCCEED Team.

    Email: succeed@blackpool.ac.uk
     

    Care Leaver Covenant

    The Covenant is a promise made by private, public or voluntary organisations to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently.

    Read more about B&FC's commitment to the care leaver covenant.

More support for you

Local Authorities support for Care Leavers

Blackpool Council - JustUZ
Lancashire County Council - Youth Zone
 

External Agencies support for Care Leavers

We are proud of our links with the following external organisations supporting Looked After Children and Care Leavers:

The Care Leavers’ Association
Become: The Charity for Children in Care and Young Care Leaders
Catch 22
IMO
Propel - Become
National Network for the Education of Care Leavers

Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP)

If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and need more comprehensive support, we can provide that for you.

Contact Us

Further Education

Young people, foster parents, residential staff and external agencies enquiring on behalf of the Looked After Child or Care Leaver can contact us by:

Call: 01253 504219 
Email: safeguarding@blackpool.ac.uk
 

Higher Education

For more information, contact the Student Support and Wellbeing team:

Call: 01253 504494
Email: helms@blackpool.ac.uk