Why?
Care leavers’ responses to the Bright Spots survey pilot in Scotland included some negative comments made by care leavers related to difficult transitions, particularly in a leaving care setting.
What?
In response to this, Aberdeenshire have reviewed the transitions process for their care-experienced young people. This has led to the development of new guidance, and a refocus on the Throughcare aspect of Aberdeenshire’s Throughcare and Aftercare Team (TCAC).
A key aspect of this new focus is to flag young people at an earlier stage and identify a worker for them from the Throughcare and Aftercare Team who can begin to build relationships with them before they leave care. The updated approach aims to create earlier, smoother, and more relationship-based transitions for care-experienced young people.
What difference did it make?
Children and Families Team Managers are invited to refer all young people to the Throughcare and Aftercare Team once they turn 15½. Young people are allocated a Throughcare and Aftercare worker at this stage, enabling involvement well before leaving care. Profiles for workers are shared with the young person before the first meeting to break down barriers and reduce anxiety.
The Throughcare and Aftercare Team provide advice, guidance, and support to Children & Families Social Workers on Throughcare/Aftercare entitlement. They also offer consultation to ensure that a young person’s transition to the Throughcare and Aftercare Team is done at the right time.
Updated and clarified written information is now available for young people, redesigned to be accessible and easy to engage with. This includes a discretionary support leaflet to help improve understanding of available support.
This means that there are smoother transitions for young people with proactive planning and consistent relationships, improved understanding of entitlements and support options for young people and reduced stress for care leavers by introducing The Throughcare and Aftercare Team earlier and building trust.