Plymouth Online Directory is designed to provide information, advice and guidance for care leavers.

The Youth Service's 18+ Care Leavers Team provides support and resources to young people aged 18 to 21 who have been in local authority care. This can be extended to age 25 where young people over 21 returns to Children's Social Care to ask for support with education plans.

Download Plymouth’s Leaving Care booklet here.

CSW provide additional support to young people who are leaving care, ensuring they are aware of the opportunities available to them and supporting them into education, employment or training.

If you are a claimant, there are specialist care leaver Work Coaches available who can offer you 1-2-1 support.

If you want to contact your nearest office, you can find their details using the local office search.

Are you in care or a care leaver, or supporting someone who is? Looking for help and advice? Contact the friendly advice line for help planning next steps for your education and plans for the future.

The Local Offer from Plymouth City Council

The Council are proud to offer care leavers a Higher Education Bursary of £3,000 per year for up to 3 years of university study. This bursary is paid in termly instalments of £1,000 per term to help support your academic journey.

In addition, they provide:

• Vacation accommodation funding for those living in university accommodation.

• Coverage for the hire of graduation caps and gowns.

• Funding for a professional graduation photo to capture and remember the important milestone.

The Care Leavers Association

Heading to college or university course can be scary for anybody these days, with the cost of tuition fees and student living rising.

For care leavers, who may not have very good experiences of the education system and who may lack the support of a family to fall back on, it can be even more intimidating. However, education is an important and valuable asset and the right of every young person.

Therefore, if you are a care leaver who wants to pursue it after the age of 16 or 18 you really should. Find advice and information here to help care leavers who are considering, or are currently enrolled on, a further, or higher education course here.

Government financial help for care leavers accessing further and higher education - here

UCAS Undergraduate support for care leavers - If you're a care leaver, or looked after a child, and applying to higher education, there's support available to help you with finance, settling in, and accommodation. Click here.

• AA Driving Theory Test App for free!

• Graduating Care South West app - you will find Plymouth’s Care Leaver Offer, helpful organisations, discounts, offers and what’s on.

• Opportunities in South West - apprenticeships, jobs and discounts.

• Ask Jan - free of charge to any care leaver from your 18th -25th birthday. Includes 24/7 counselling, health and wellbeing advice, discounts and special offers on days out. Ask your PA for details.

• Between ages 18-25 you don't have to pay council tax. Ask your PA for details.

• Graduating? The council will pay for the rental of your cap and gown and also cover the cost of a photo to remember the special day!

• FREE gym and swim with Plymouth Active Leisure between 18-25 years old - this includes a plus one!

• If you're think of driving, the council will cover £200 towards kickstarting your lessons.

• If you are living independently you could receive a one off payment for £100 for clothing for interviews or employment.

• The council will cover the cost of your first passport or driving license.

• If you are living independently you could access up to £100 for certain situations such as attending a wedding or a funeral.