Harrow Council has launched a new Leaving Care Service, aiming to provide accessible and responsive support for all care leavers. The service, which officially began on 31 March 2025, seeks to offer tailored assistance to young people transitioning to independence.
Recognising the challenges care leavers face, particularly in a tough economic climate, the service is working across partnerships to identify opportunities and support networks to improve engagement in education, employment, and training (EET).
The Corporate Parenting Panel received an update on the service at their meeting on Monday 30 June 2025. The report, available in the Public reports pack, highlighted several key developments, including staffing, training, and reorganisation of service delivery.
Staffing and Training
Considerable recruitment efforts have been made to ensure the service is adequately staffed. By the end of June 2025, the Leaving Care Service will have a full complement of thirteen personal advisors, all with experience working with care leavers. Deborah Harewood was appointed as the service manager in March 2025, followed by the onboarding of three team managers.
A comprehensive training schedule has been established in conjunction with Harrow's Social Work Academy to ensure a consistent approach to service delivery. Training modules have covered topics such as recording meaningful case summaries and chronologies, as well as joint sessions with children looked after social workers to foster a shared understanding of team roles.
Reorganisation of Service Delivery
To better engage with care leavers, the service has implemented weekly drop-in sessions every Thursday at a young people-friendly centre run by Watford FC. These sessions aim to provide key information and support to young people.
Recent sessions have included demonstrations and discussions about the Care Leaver App, which is being co-produced with care leavers and a niche company. The goal is to launch the new app during National Care Leavers' Week in October. Future drop-in sessions will focus on housing information and early careers support.
A duty rota is also in operation from Monday to Friday during office hours to handle enquiries.
Rights and Entitlements
The drop-in sessions will also promote care experienced young people's rights and entitlements, ensuring they fully understand the current Care Leaver Offer. The offer is set to be revised and expanded with input from young people and professional partners. A specific event is planned to gather feedback from partners in education, health, early careers, housing, and leisure. This consultation aims to build the concept of the Family Business
in the creation of fresh Council led initiatives to increase employment education and training for care leavers.
Guidance for managing the transition at age 18 for former relevant care leavers has been drafted with the Children and Young Adults Disabilities Service managers. This will ensure a clear approach to reviewing and establishing access to tailored support and benefits.
New Projects
Additional resources are being secured to establish high-quality shared houses for care leavers awaiting permanent accommodation, which will be managed and supported by Harrow Council staff. The housing application process for permanent housing is also under review to make it more streamlined.
The Shaw Trust is introducing an employment and training project starting in July, targeting those aged 16-21 to help them engage in and maintain work or training. The Shaw Trust will collaborate with the council and both national and local businesses to achieve this.