Support for care leavers

If you are leaving care, help is available from the Leaving and After Care Team. They can give you advice and support with:

• Health and wellbeing
• Accommodation      
• Relationships
• Education and training    
• Employment
• Taking part in your community

You can contact the team at any time or attend a drop-in session.  The local Leaving and After Care Team covers Colchester and Tendring.

Phone: 03330 139980
Email: leavingandaftercaren@essex.gov.uk
Address: Stanwell House, Stanwell Street, Colchester, CO2 7DL

Youth Enquiry Service (Y.E.S.)

Y.E.S. is a local charity that supports young people aged 11to 25 in Colchester and Tendring. They can give advice and support on topics includi

• Housing and homelessness
• Pregnancy and parenting support
• Anxiety and wellbeing
• Benefits

Website: Y.E.S.Youth Enquiry Service
Phone: 01255 434601

If you are homeless or worried about losing your home

If you are homeless or at risk of losing your home, complete our self-referral form on the Homelessness Advice page.

If you are a care leaver, we will work with you and your personal adviser to help prevent you from losing your home or help you find somewhere else to live.

If you are aged 16 or 17 and do not have a personal adviser, we will refer you to Social Care and arrange a joint housing assessment with a social worker.

Housing Options for care leavers aged 18 and over

Essex County Council has information about housing optionsfor young people leaving care aged 18 and over.

Housing options when you are 18 and over

Your personal adviser can talk through your options with you. They can also help you book an appointment with an officer in our Housing Solutions Team if you need help with accommodation.

Money to help care leavers with accommodation

Your personal adviser may be able to help you with:

• a one-off rent and deposit payment to help you secure private rented accommodation
• a Setting Up Home grant of up to £3,000
• short-term storage for your belongings if you are moving
• applying for a council tax reduction up to the age of 21

Housing Options if you are under 18

Essex County Council explains the options for 16 and 17 year olds who are unable to stay at home - Housing options when you are under 18

These may include:

• foster care
• supported lodgings
• semi-independent accommodation