Supporting Care Leavers

There are a number of programmes and commitments we are making locally to ensure people leaving care get the help and support they need

Pathfinders programme
The Pathfinders programme prepares and supports Care Experienced Young People to enter the workforce. The programme is delivered in partnership with providers and has been co-developed by Care Experienced Young People (CEYP), local colleges, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and health and care providers.

There are a number of ways to get involved in the next programme, which will commence in 2025 including:

Developing pipeline: volunteering, apprencticeships

Offering a work placement

Sharing your experience

Becoming a 'buddy'

Reviewing recruitment practices

Delivering a programme session

If you would like to get involved contact icn.academy@nhs.net
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Care Leaver Prescription Pre-Payment Certificate
NHS Northamptonshire ICB is currently running a one-year pilot scheme funding prepayment prescription certificates for care experienced young people (care leavers) aged 16 to 25 years who are not entitled to free prescriptions under current NHS exemptions.

Across Northamptonshire there is a strong commitment from agencies to deliver a consistently high-quality core offer of support for care experienced young people. This cohort of young people are known to experience additional challenge in terms of both health and well-being and financial disadvantage. Provision of free prescriptions for this vulnerable group will support both access to healthcare and a reduction in health inequalities, and reflects the goals and priorities set out by NHS Northamptonshire ICB.

Challenge in accessing appropriate healthcare and treatment can be compounded by the financial struggles experienced as young people leaving care face additional inequalities such as the financial constraints which may result as they move into independent living. Many of these young people do not have access to funds from extended family supporting them with daily living costs; the additional cost of a prescription may cause further financial hardship and may result in the prescription not being collected and health needs not being met.

The funding for this pilot has been provided by the NHSE Universal Family Programme to support care experienced young people aged 16 – 25 by removing financial barriers and supporting them to step into employment.

Exemptions

The current list of those exempt from prescription charges are listed below:

Aged 16 – 18 in full time education.

Who have a medical condition for which all prescriptions are free.

Who are pregnant or who have had a baby in the last 12 months.

On a low income (including students).

Who are (or are the partner of someone) in receipt of certain benefits. including Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Tax Credit.

If the young person is eligible for free prescriptions under one of the above criteria, they may also be exempt from other charges, such as dental treatment charges.

Care experienced young people who do not meet any of these criteria and who are therefore not already eligible for free prescriptions may apply for a prepayment certificate through the NHS Northamptonshire ICB pilot scheme.

How do I apply?
Anyone can apply on behalf of a care experienced young person, including employers, young people themselves and leaving care workers/Personal advisors. Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Leaving Care Team is able to assist care leavers to identify whether they are already entitled to free prescriptions and support in the completion of the relevant application form.

Application form for Prepayment Prescriptions for Care Leavers.docx [docx] 28KB

Care Leavers Prescription Pre-payment certificate flyer - September 2024.pdf [pdf] 599KB
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Care Leavers Covenant

NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), on behalf of health partners, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council are all signed up to the Care Leavers Covenant.

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

The aim of the Care Leaver Covenant, to which organisations commit, is to provide additional support for those leaving care; making available a different type of support and expertise around five principles.

Alongside Independent Living, these are:
• Education, Employment and Training
• Safety and Security
• Mental and Physical Health
• Finance

To support the five principles, partners have developed local opportunities to support and widen access for these young people.
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Read our stories

Our programmes have supported care experienced people across the county in a number of ways. We have included some of their stories to read.

Charley's story

I'm Charley. I’m 17 years old. I grew up in Northampton with my mum and siblings. I was placed into foster care in 2014, and have had 2 placements. I’ve been with my current foster carers Lesley and Carl for 8 years.

I joined the Pathfinders programme following the end of my Health and Social Care Level 2 college course. I was part of the care experienced group that co-developed the programme. I’d tell others with similar experience to have high hopes about this programme and to not be worried. I made new friends and enjoyed meeting others with similar experiences to me.

I find it difficult meeting new people and entering new environments, joining this programme has helped me to overcome this and it has made me more confident to be open to new things.

I’d like to start my career with Northampton General and I hope I can get an apprenticeship there that will kick off my career to becoming a nurse.

This programme made me overcome things I never thought I could and opens up a lot of opportunities for you as a person. I hope to gradually make my way to becoming a nurse and support others.

G's story

I’m G. I’m 18 years’ old and I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. I suffer with PTSD, I’m a twin and my family is Congolese. I have been in care, but I am currently living back with my dad.

I joined the Pathfinders programme following recommendations from college. At college I studied Health and Social Care Level 3. I liked that there were other people from different backgrounds who have been in care on this programme.

My home life can be difficult and at times, hostile and turbulent. During the programme I was made homeless, but the leads on programme and the children’s trust helped. As a qualifying care leaver I don’t get funding and I’m not being financially supported by my dad, any money I do get isn’t my own as I give it out to my siblings. I live in a rural area therefore transport can be a struggle at times.

From the start of the programme I said I wanted to become a Midwife and I still do, but there are challenges in my life that I need to work around before I can get there. I’m currently doing work experience with Delapre Medical Centre which I enjoy and works for me. I hope that I can find a clinical apprenticeship here.

In the future I would like to move out of home and perhaps move abroad.

Macie's story

I’m Macie. I’m 18 years’ old and I grew up in Daventry. I only recently moved into care which was a big change for me. Throughout my teens I’ve struggled with mental health, but through good support I’m working towards a better future.

I joined the Pathfinders programme following recommendations from college. At college I studied Childcare. I was involved in the co-development of the programme. I liked that there were other people with care experience on programme too and that I made new friends. This programme and having good supporters helped me grow in confidence; this shows how much support can change a person.

My biggest struggle is my mental health and lack of confidence. I don’t really have a good support system around me, nor a permanent place to live and this is a barrier to getting a job.

I hope to work with people with additional needs or in mental health as I would love to help other and I feel I have lived experience and therefore can relate.

I’m just proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and that I’m trying to create a better future for myself.

Nakita's story

I joined the Pathfinders programme following finishing college where I was attending a health and social care level 2 course and my GCSEs for Maths and English. I was part of the group of care experienced young people that co- developed the programme.

I’m proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended the programme and all of my work placements which I enjoyed. I’d tell others that it’s been eye-opening, provided insight into the many different roles and has helped to me gain confidence.

I experienced a number of unforeseen circumstances whilst on programme. I also injured my leg whilst on holiday and this made it so I was unable to complete some of my work placement.

I’d like to work in a health and social care setting and my hope is that I can become either a Foster Carer, or a Psychiatrist. My Buddy Jess from West Northants Council is currently exploring an apprenticeship position with Eleanor Lodge Care Home.

The programme really boosted my confidence and encouraged me to think more about what I want for me. To be happy... and to have a job that I am successful in and that I enjoy. I want to make my carers proud.

Supporting Care Leavers

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