Goal 2: Build up long lasting, positive and supportive relationships

Experiencing ups and downs is part of life. It is important that you develop a strong network of support that can be depended upon during tough times but also celebrates with you YOUR SUCCESSES. Research has proven that having a support system in place has many positive benefits, such as higher levels of well-being, better coping skills and a longer and healthier life. Some people do best with a large support group, while others need a small support system. Giving and receiving support from others is a basic human need. Enfield Care Leavers Service can help you to maintain or resume contact with people who are special to you. Your Social Worker or Personal Advisor will be happy to talk with you about your family, your friendships and other professional relationships that can be part of your network of support.

KEEPING IN TOUCH UNTIL YOUR 25^TH BIRTHDAY

Our aim is that by the time you reach your 21st birthday you are ready to live a successful independent life. However, we acknowledge that each young person is different and may reach that point at a different age. We will ensure that we remain in touch and provide you with information, advice and support up to your 25th birthday if this is what you want.

In the case we agree that our active involvement and support can come to an end we would still love to hear from you and find out how life is going. As a minimum, we will attempt yearly contact to check on your circumstances and discuss whether you require any support from us.

ENFIELD CARE LEAVERS HUB 16-25

Enfield Care Leavers Service is committed to providing all its care leavers with a central space for you to relax, get advice, guidance and support. The Hub aims to provide care leavers with a wide range of support services in regards to housing, welfare benefits, health and wellbeing, EET, information and advice as well as engagement with youth and local services.

It provides a welcoming space where you can have formal meetings with your Social Worker or Personal Advisor, meet other professionals as well as take part in various activities and workshops.

You can find out HERE more information on the current activities and services available through your HUB.

The purpose of the Hub is to support YOU in achieving YOUR ambitions and aspirations.

KRATOS (Children in Care Council) 16-25

WE ARE REALLY PROUD IN ENFIELD OF OUR CHILDREN IN CARE COUNCIL AKA KRATOS.

KRATOS means “Power, Strength”. KRATOS is much more than the Children is Care Council.KRATOS’ Members, whose ages range from 14 to 23 years of age, meet twice a month and are supported by a Participation and Consultation Officer who is an integrated part of the Virtual School.

Many of the members of the Children in Care Council have found belonging to this group an excellent way to make lasting friendships which have supported them long after they have left care.

As a member you can:

• Become a young advisor/peer mentor for children and young people
• Build new friendships
• Take part in fun and positive activities
• Make positive changes in how we work with young people in the Leaving Care Team
• Inspect children’s services
• Assist in the recruitment and training of new social workers and foster carers
• Access training on relevant areas like Subs misuse, Wellbeing, County Lines or Exploitation.

ENFIELD YOUTH SERVICE (16-19 and 16-25)

Enfield Youth Development Service works with young people aged between 11 and 19 years (and up to 25 for young people with additional needs), to promote your personal and social development and enable you to have a voice, influence change and place in their communities and society as a whole. They work with young people to build your resilience, character and give you the confidence and life skills you need to live, learn, work and achieve. This is at the heart of all their work. The relationship between young people and youth worker is entirely voluntary, where you will always have a choice to engage.

If you are interested in getting involved with Enfield Youth Service speak to your Social Worker/Personal Advisor or alternatively you can contact Talisha or Yemi 020 8132 2783 / 020 8132 0656 or email: youthenfield@enfield.gov.uk More information of the activities on offer through Enfield Youth Service can be accessed HERE.

YOUNG PARENTS (16-25)

If you or your partner become pregnant, your allocated Social Worker or Personal Advisor within the Leaving Care Team will support you through the completion of a pre-birth assessment if this is required. This assessment looks at your circumstances and the support you and your child may need to have in place to best care for your baby. Depending on the outcome of the assessment this may result in either no further action, a referral to local services for young children i.e. your local Children’s Centre or, if applicable, a referral to the Child Protection and Family Support Team if further involvement from a Social Worker is deemed necessary. We want children and families to thrive and be resilient. Our aim is that all children and young people in Enfield live in families where they are safe, confident and happy and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and strengthen their community.

NEW BEGINNINGS PROJECT (16-25)

New Beginnings is a support service that is run by the London Borough of Enfield for young women living within the Borough. It supports women who unfortunately have experienced their children being permanently removed from their care as well as those who are at risk of further pregnancies that may result in additional care proceedings. As part of the Project you will receive one-to-one support in order to develop and enhance personal goals, confidence, wellbeing and parenting capacity. The aim of the New Beginnings service is to ensure you will be able to safely care for any children you have in the future. Referrals can be made by your Social Worker/Personal Advisor or through self-referral by emailing: NewBeginnings@enfield.gov.uk or calling 020 8379 8211.

ADOPTION NORTH LONDON SERVICE

If you were adopted and you are 18 years old or over, by law, you have now certain rights you need to be aware of such as accessing your birth and adoption records, access letterbox contact/ Information exchange from birth parents or other birth relatives or access support from the Adoption Service in contacting/refusing contact with your birth family. If you would like to consider all the options and their implications, you are very welcome to contact the regional Adoption Agency (AKA Adopt LondonNorth. In fact, they would welcome hearing from you if you would like to talk over anything to do with your adoption. They can be contacted on 0207 527 4777 or by email at adoptionsupoprtduty@islington.gov.uk

Adoption North London has a support group for adopted adults, which meets bi-monthly in Islington. It is run by adopted adults with some support from the adoption support teams.

ENFIELD DOMESTIC ABUSE HUB AND FREE-PHONE 0800 923 9009

The Domestic abuse Hub will provide a multi-agency response to anyone fleeing domestic abuse. There will be a dedicated free telephone number and a specialist team to ensure no one is turned away and support is there for anyone in need. Both the Hub and the Helpline are operational 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Always dial 999 if an ambulance or Police are required.

In a relationship, violence, threats and controlling behaviour are all signs of domestic abuse. Don’t be afraid to call them for help and support. Domestic abuse is a crime.

They also have a dedicated domestic abuse page on Enfield’s website where you can find out more about the helpline and other issues relating to domestic abuse www.enfield.gov.uk/dv as well as a  dedicated email platform as another channel for victims of abuse (or friends / family) to access help and support: callusDAH@enfield.gov.uk