Sources of support

We will support you to have a strong and safe support network around you. You can get support from:

• Your personal adviser (PA)
• An advocate. This is someone who can speak on your behalf
• The Preparing for Adult Life (PfAL) service, if you have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
• Your Own Place mentors
• Our unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) team, if you are an asylum seeker or refugee

You will keep the same personal adviser (PA) until you turn 25. Your personal advisor will support you to develop the skills you need so you can cope with the responsibilities of adult life. 

They will meet you regularly. This will be at least every eight weeks. They will help make sure you: 

• Have a safe place to live 
• Get all the support you need for your health, education, employment or training needs 
• Access other services you might need. For example, mental health services, drug and alcohol services and family planning 
• Claim all your entitlements, including your bursary 

This should all be written in your pathway plan. 

You have the right to have your say and be listened to, when we are making decisions about you. An advocate is someone who can speak on your behalf. They can help you to speak out about what is important to you.  

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) provides advocacy and legal representation to young people and adults in Norfolk. 

NYAS advocates are always on your side. They are independent and do not work for Children's Services - they are there only for you. An advocate won't make decisions for you, offer legal advice, give their personal opinion or tell you what to do. 

To learn more:

• Visit the NYAS website
• Contact NYAS's freephone helpline on 0808 808 1001

If you prefer, you can ask your social worker or someone you trust to contact NYAS on your behalf.

Moving into adult life can be difficult if you have additional needs.

Our Preparing for adult life (PfAL) service can help you if you need extra support.

You will also find lots of advice and information on our Preparing for Adult Life webpages.

The PfAL service will work with you and your social worker, personal adviser and carers. They will let you know what help is available and it is ready when you need it. This will be part of your care and pathway planning. 

If you came to the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeking child (UASC) or refugee, our UASC team can help support you.

The UASC team can help you get specialist support from services such as:

• Norwich International Youth Project
• New Routes Integration

They offer:

• Mentoring programs
• Activities. These can help you build strong support networks and become part of the local community
• Extra ESOL (English as a second language) lessons

You can also find English language and conversation classes at:

• English+
• Adult learning service

Speak to your personal adviser who will be able to contact the UASC team on your behalf.