The council works with young people in care to help them make the move into independent living, and to take advantage of the education, employment and training opportunities that are available to them.
And young people who have either recently moved out of care, or will shortly be doing so, will be taking part in a wide range of activities during Care Leavers Week to highlight their progress and celebrate their successes.
Events will include a night at the movies with the council's Reach Leaving Care team and 2 'Changing Rooms' style challenge events with Wolverhampton Homes supporting young people and the Supported Accommodation Team to makeover two flats.
There will be baby swim and stay and play sessions, a swap shop and a special event at Wildside Activity Centre giving care leavers who are not currently in employment, education or training the chance to take part in team building exercises, confidence building activities and volunteering opportunities.
Members of the Care Leavers Independent Collective will host a Total Respect training session, encouraging staff and professionals to understand what it means to be a child in care or care leaver, while Food Around The World will give young people the chance to sample some amazing dishes from different parts of the world.
Ahead of Care Leavers Week, care leavers enjoyed a silent Halloween disco on Saturday, the Care Leavers football team will shortly be hosting a friendly match with Walsall Care Leavers FC ahead of the Care Leavers Championship Cup next summer, and the atrium at the Civic Centre will be lit blue to mark the start of the week, with the colour chosen by care leavers themselves.
Alison Hinds, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Director of Children's Services, said: “Care Leavers Week is an important and enjoyable week for all the young people who either have, or are, making the transition from care to independent living, ensuring they are fully supported and celebrated at this important and exciting time so that their first step into adulthood is the best it can be."
Wolverhampton's Local Offer for care leavers aged between 16 and 25 provides information about a wide range of services which could help young care leavers prepare for adult life. It includes details of support which they are entitled to by law, as well as additional services that the council has been able to secure with the help of partner organisations. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Children in Care.
Care Leavers Week seeks to highlight the needs of care leavers and encourages the agencies responsible for looking after them to work in a coordinated and effective way.
