Role of Care Experienced Pathway Advisor (PA)
A Care Experienced Pathway Advisor (PA) will provide support, contact and a link into the services provided by Children and Families Services at the council. They will coordinate the help and support we agree with you in your Pathway Plan.
You will have a PA from age 15 and a half until 18, so they can get to know you and help you prepare for turning 18. From 18 to 21 your PA will be your main point of contact and support. From 21 years onwards we will keep connected and/or actively involved with you until your 25 unless you tell us you do not want us to.
They will support by:
- providing advice and support to you on a regular basis and acting as the key contact for your support
- getting involved in your Pathway Plan and making sure it is being followed and reviewed at least every six months
- co-ordinating the services available to you and taking reasonable steps to support you to access these
- remaining informed about your progress and wellbeing
- providing housing options available to you when you leave care and beyond
- supporting you with finding and maintaining further education, employment or training
- making sure your views are heard and that you feel listened to, making sure this forms the basis of your Pathway Plan
- advocating on your behalf and empowering you to make decisions to explore your potential
- supporting you to access social activities which help you keep connected
- taking time to get to know you and building a positive relationship with you
We will try to keep you with the same PA, although this will not always be possible, if for example, your PA gets a new job. If this happens, we will work hard to make sure they introduce you to your new PA before they go. It is important that both you and your PA work together in a respectful and kind way.
How much support you will get from your PA
The amount of support that you receive from your PA will depend on what you need and your circumstances and your age. Your PA will aim to meet with you at least every eight weeks if not more frequently based on your need, from about 17 and a half onwards. Before then and after 21 it’s based on need. Your PA will work with you to consider all the support you may need and if there are any extra areas of assistance that may be helpful. You might, for example, need extra support because:
- you have special educational needs or a disability
- you are an unaccompanied separated young person, and your immigration status is unclear
- you are in or leaving custody or you have had contact with the criminal justice system
- you are a young parent
- you are going through a difficult time in your personal life
Creating your pathway plan
The pathway plan is unique to you, and it explains how we will help you achieve the things you want as you grow into adulthood. You start to work on your plan from 16 years old (or after if you become cared for after your 16th birthday).
A pathway plan is a written document looking at your skills and helps to identify what skills you might need as you progress towards adulthood. It helps you to set goals and identify what needs to be done, who will support you in achieving your goals and by when. Your pathway plan will outline your achievements as well as the things you need support in. The plan will identify financial support, not just the practical support on offer.