A text message sent by a PA working for Sheffield City Council which informed a young person that they “have been asked to close all our young people aged over 21” was shared last week on Twitter.
It added that the decision was due to a “large waiting list of 16+” needing support.
Very concerned that a care leaver I work with has been sent this by their PA today, as far as I know this is not allowed? They are under 25! @AdviserCare ? pic.twitter.com/Xeut2i7mYw
— Carrie Wilson-Harrop MA (@CWilson200) May 3, 2023
Care leavers aged 21 to 25 are entitled to support from a personal advisor to help them transition into adulthood under section 3 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
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Speaking to CYP Now, Carrie Harrop-Wilson, a young people’s project co-ordinator at the Care Leaver’s Association, who shared the message, said: “Young people are legally entitled to support from PAs until they are 25 and to be told this support is being reduced can leave them feeling very distressed. In this case, to receive this in a text message was even more upsetting for the young person.
“We are seeing more and more that young people are either not aware of the support they are entitled or being denied the support because they are getting closer to 25 and local authorities do not have the resources they need to support them.”
Sheffield City Council has denied claims that it is reducing PA support for care leavers aged over 21.
Harrop-Wilson said that the council had also confirmed to her that cases for over-21s would not be closed.
A council spokesperson told CYP Now that the case involving the text message is being looked into.
Andrew Jones, director of education at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are not removing support from PAs for care leavers aged over 21. In Sheffield, all care leavers receive the support they need, at the time that they need it. We are aware that all care leavers are individual and have different needs, so every plan is different.
“All care leavers over 21 can ask for support from a PA and can return to the service as many times as they like to access advice and support up to the age of 25.
“In addition to support from PAs, we offer a range of services such as drop-in sessions, social activities and advice and signposting.”
During its last full inspection of children’s services in 2019, Ofsted found that “care leavers receive an impressive level of support” from Sheffield City Council.
“They benefit from strong relationships with their personal advisers, who go the extra mile for their young people, ensuring they have access to all necessary support and help to maximise their opportunities and experiences,” the report states.
