Who is eligible to access the service?
The team provides a statutory support service to those young people who are/were looked after and accommodated by West Dunbartonshire Council. Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 the council has a duty to prepare and support young people for the time when they will no longer be looked after and accommodated; this preparation, then ongoing support (Aftercare) can be offered up to the age of 26 years in certain circumstances.
What type of support is given?
We provide advice and guidance to young people leaving care. This may help a young person to access suitable:
- accommodation
- education/employment
- health
- family and friends
- money
- lifestyle
- rights and legal issues
Some young people need a higher level of support. They may need help to access specialist services such as mental health or substance misuse. The Throughcare and Aftercare service will speak on behalf of the young person to help them get the support they need.
The service can also help the young person to gain the practical skills necessary to manage living independently.