North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Looked after children are defined as those in the care of their local authority by the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The local authority is referred to as a “corporate parent”.

Children may become “looked after” for different reasons, including:

• abuse or neglect in their parental home
• special care because of a disability
• the youth justice system
• seeking asylum

We look after children as a corporate parent within the following services:

• Adoption
• Foster care
• Short break caring
• Kinship care
• Residential care
• Youth Justice
• Throughcare (leaving care)

Read the North Ayrshire Corporate Parenting Plan.

Throughcare

Throughcare provides support for young people (16-21 years of age) who are moving on from being looked after to live independently.

We offer practical and emotional support and we can help with:

• finding college courses, training placements or work opportunities
• accessing benefits, care leaver payments, college bursaries or grants
• finding and keeping accommodation
• getting support from health services, such as dentists and nurses
• your rights and legal issues
• staying in contact with family and friends
• hobbies and interests
• any worries or problems

The Pathways Plan identifies the support a young person needs to live independently.

It includes things like:

• where to live
• education and training
• health and lifestyle
• family and friends
• jobs and money

Further support

The following agencies may be able to help:

• Barnardo’s Hear 4U Advocacy Service North Ayrshire- a voluntary organisation working with care experienced young people and care leavers
• The Real Toolkit from the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum - offers advice about the transition into continuing care or leaving care

Contact us

To find out how we can help, get in touch: