Looked after by Salford?
What will the Next Step do for you?
If you are thinking about leaving care and you are not sure what will happen, the answers to these frequently asked questions might help to explain things more clearly.
- When do I start working with the Next Step?
- What is a Pathway Plan?
- How long will I be involved with the project?
- How often will I see my worker?
- What sort of things will I do with my worker?
- Can I get help with drug or alcohol problems?
- When will I leave my care placement?
- Where will I be living when I leave care?
- What if I want to live away from Salford?
- What do I do if I have a problem and my worker is not around?
- How do I get in touch?
When do I start working with the Next Step?
You will normally be allocated your Pathway Worker soon after you reach sixteen years of age. Your present Social Worker will usually arrange to introduce you to your Pathway Worker before handing over responsibility for you to them.
Your Pathway Plan is completed with you and your Pathway Worker. It sets out detailed plans on how to get you from where you are now to where you want to be in five years time. In most cases it will take several sessions to complete. It is reviewed every six months to check on progress and to see if any changes or additions need to be made.
How long will I be involved with the project?
You will receive a service from the project until your 21st birthday. It can be extended until the end of your course or your 25th birthday if you are in full time education on your 21st. In some cases you will change from a Pathway Worker to an After Care Worker some time after your 18th.
How often will I see my worker?
This is agreed between you and your worker and will change according to your needs. The minimum is every three months but in special circumstances it can be several times a week. Normally it will be between once a week and once a month. The visits are usually planned and agreed with you in advance.
What sort of things will I do with my worker?
A lot of the time your worker will be helping you to plan for your future, looking at things like education, training, employment and accommodation. Sometimes there is space to do something more informal, or maybe just meeting for a chat and a brew. Your worker may also help you to make links with other services like Connexions, The Prince's Trust and Fairbridge.
Can I get help with drug or alcohol problems?
There is a specialist worker within The Next Step Project who can offer help and support with reducing your use of drugs and/or alcohol, and look at ways of keeping safe if you do use them.
When will I leave my care placement?
This depends on individual needs and your situation but it usually happens between your 17th and 18th birthday.
Where will I be living when I leave care?
There are all sorts of options like Supported Lodgings, Supported Housing Projects, Bed-Sits or your own flat. You can choose to move into supported accommodation first and then move on to your flat at a later date.
What if I want to live away from the Salford area?
If you have connections with another area and you want to move there we will help you all we can, but it may be more difficult to find you accommodation. If you move somewhere close to Salford we will continue to work with you, but if you move further away then we will ask the local Leaving Care Team to work with you on our behalf. Wherever you live Salford will still have responsibilities for you.
What do I do if I have a problem and my worker is not around?
There are Duty Workers who are available to deal with urgent problems. If you do need to see someone and your worker is not around you can either call into the office or phone. The Duty Worker is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 3:30 and on Monday and Friday from 8:30 to 3:30.
If there is anything more you want to know phone 0161 607 1888, call into the office at Unwin Court, Fitzwarren Street, Salford, M6 5LN, or email: michael.kelly@salford.gov.uk.
This page was last updated on 26 August 2010
