ARU Final Report

Full Report – March 2021 39 4.4.2 Involvement and participation teams Care leavers also talked about how supportive members of Leaving Care Services involvement and participation teams had been, especially in organising online meetups and WhatsApp groups with other care leavers and generally staying in touch. Some also mentioned the support from charities in their local area: “The Zoom meetings with the LAC team have been quite helpful being able to connect. And Children in Care Council WhatsApp group and just listening, watching, reading but not feeling forced to but still connecting with everyone in a sense.” (FG: Female, 24) “The support from [named person] here and [local charity] have been really great throughout the whole of lockdown…. We met up and it was really good to see everyone. I’ve had more contact from [local charity] than I’ve had from my PA…. Really nice to have them there. We’ve got a group chat on WhatsApp so that’s good as well to be able to keep in touch. And we can message [named person] privately if wewanted to.” (FG: Female, 23) “Something that really did help me was [named person]. She really helpedme get my career goals back on track and find work and I’m genuinely really grateful for that, it took a lot of stress offmy shoulders.” (FG: Female, 18) “Involvement Team have been amazing always putting in effort to make sure all their young people where okay I think they are amazing I had a mental breakdown during this and they was checking I was okay and get the right help I was also diagnosed with physical health condition and I was allowed no one with me at hospital but they were all there at the end of the phone when I was worry I’m sure a lot of young people and me would say they supported them through the lockdown running zoom call all the time.” (Q: Female, 25) “Everyone rang up to ask how me and my son was coping couldn’t be more grateful for you guys you’ve been an amazing support to me.” (Q: Female, 24) “The support from [local charity]. Especially the Zoom meetings. I don’t attend sometimes but having the option there is really nice.” (FG: Male, 18) “People from the care leavers group helped with any questions I had and to make sure I was well during the different time. Family and friends checking up on me.” (Q: Female, 24) “[local charity] sent me art packages and stuff.” (Q: Male, 19) “The staff from the mother and baby unit were the most helpful.” (Q: Female, 22) These insights from young people highlight the vital role played by involvement and participation teams as well as charities that support care leavers, who often work in collaboration with Leaving Care Services. Indeed, the SCLC (2020) note that the community and voluntary sector has managed to support care leavers with opportunities to socialise, creative activities to help them express and process their emotions, and tools and techniques for maintaining their wellbeing. 4.4.3 The need for better support Nevertheless, 26.9% of questionnaire respondents said that they did not receive any support from Leaving Care Services , and care leavers in both the questionnaire and focus groups shared some of their negative experiences of trying to access support. Some felt support was not available to them despite them reaching out for it. For example, some care leavers found it difficult to get in touch with the right people, or their phone calls were not being returned. This was especially true for care leavers whose personal advisors were off work for long periods of time after becoming ill with Covid-19