Mentoring care leavers

[Teenageromance]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right section. My children are slowly leaving the nest and I have experienced the input they need from a supportive adult as they make decisions and plan their future in leaving home. I’ve heard that it’s possible to offer this sort of support to care leavers on a volunteer basis. I would love to do something like this but don’t know where to start. I’m not naive - my youngest has a neurodisability and I have had to deal with v difficult behaviours. Any ideas how I start investigating if I can offer anything?

@Teenageromance Take a look at Barnardo's. I think they may have volunteering opportunities like this!

You could look at being a Personal Advisor for a care leaver. You'd need to speak with the Leaving Care Team in your local Children's Services!

Look to see if there is a local charity that does that sort of work. I volunteer as a mentor for child carers. It has been really fulfilling and they support care leavers too

Thanks for all of these messages - I will look into it

@Gizlotsmum who do you volunteer with?

A local charity called Break.

Before I adopted I was an independent visitor with teenagers in care (through Action for Children).

Two main areas you may be interested in could be www.NHS/.../shared-lifes-schemes. www.sharedlifesplus.org.uk or just google

I’m a volunteer Independent Visitor with my local council, have been mentoring a young person who was in care and now a care leavers for three years. It is now a legal requirement that all care experienced young people are offered the support so there should be opportunities for you locally. Good luck, i have found it very rewarding.