Post-16 and care leavers

Next Step is the leaving care service for Salford.

We provide support to young people in care from the age of 16 and to care leavers up until their 25^th birthday

All young people known to Next Step are assigned a Pathway Advisor (at the age of 16) or an Aftercare Worker (usually once you reach 18).

Next Step also offers a duty service between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday to deal with emergencies when your assigned worker is unavailable.

What kind of things can Next Step support you with?

• Securing safe and suitable accommodation
• Finding appropriate education, employment and training opportunities
• Access to primary health services (for example doctors and dentists) and also to more specialist health professionals where this is required
• Arranging financial support and help with budgeting (managing your money and how to pay bills)
• Developing other independent living skills (such as cooking and cleaning)
• Participation in leisure activities and pursuing your interests and hobbies
• Developing confidence and self–esteem
• Managing relationships, including with your birth family where this is appropriate

Contact us at

Next Step
Salford Opportunities Centre
2 Paddington Close
Salford, M6 5PL

Telephone: 0161 607 1888
Email: nextstepsadmin@salford.gov.uk

Service manager: Phil Varghese
Practice managers: Natalie Hughes and Emma Parkinson

For Salford’s emergency out of hour’s service, please telephone: 0161 603 4500.

Finance: what you are entitled to

If you are under 18 years of age, you will not be entitled to claim most state benefits. Instead Next Step has the responsibility of supporting you financially. How much you receive will depend on your circumstances.

Young people leaving care will qualify for a grant of £2,000 to help with setting up home. Next Step provides an additional financial support package for care leavers going into higher education.

A copy of Next Step’s Finance Policy is available upon request. This specifies the financial support you could be eligible for through our service.

This page was last updated on 5 September 2022