The City of Wolverhampton Council works with young people in care to help them make the move out of care and into independent living, and to take advantage of education, employment and training opportunities that are available to them.
Those young people who have recently moved out of care, or will shortly do 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 the launch of the new Indi Group, which will help young people develop the skills they need to live independently, as well as a Taskmaster games afternoon, a city wide scavenger hunt and a film night at the Oasis Hub where young care leavers will be able to enjoy cuisine from around the world.
There will be a special event at the Civic Centre for care leavers who are not currently in employment, education or training to highlight some of the opportunities available to them.
And the Co-production and Youth Engagement Team and members of the Care Leavers Independent Collective will host a Total Respect training session, encouraging young people to support each other and to respect others.
Meanwhile, care leavers from Wolverhampton will compete against their counterparts from Walsall, Coventry and Sandwell in a Care Leavers Week Football Tournament at Walsall Wood on Wednesday.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Care Leavers Week is an important and enjoyable week for all the young people who either have, or are, making the transition from being in care to starting their journey towards independent living.
"The council works hard to ensure our care leavers are fully supported and celebrated through this important and exciting time, to make sure that this first step into adulthood is the best it can be.
"As well as providing practical support through the various Care Leavers Week activities, we are also giving our young people financial support to help them with the rising cost of living. All 16 and 17 year old care leavers who are living semi independently are receiving 2 one off payments, one of £326 and one of £324, to help with rent and utility bills.
"At the same time, we have made a one off £650 payment to all our foster carers through the Household Support Fund, which I know was very gratefully received.”
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.
National 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.
