Residential Accommodation
Leog Children's Centre
Leog Children's Centre in Lerwick is a multi-purpose unit which provides residential and respite care for children and young people up to the age of eighteen and outreach support to children, young people and their families.
Leog is a large, centrally situated house divided into two units. The upper two floors are the residential unit with five single bedrooms. The ground floor has two self-contained bedsits for young people moving on to independant living. There is disabled access.
Care at Leog is child-centred and designed to involve the children and young people in the running of the unit. Children, young people and parents are fully involved in decisions about what happens there, this includes daily menus and activities. It also includes plans for the child or young person's care in Leog and plans for the future.
Throughcare and aftercare
The thought of leaving care can be a daunting prospect. Preparations for independence begin while you are still being cared for and continue through until you no longer need support. Social Care and other agencies can provide you with advice, guidance and support to plan your move.
Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, your local authority has certain duties towards you until you are 21, and if you attend further education that could be until you are 23. This service is available to young people leaving care and moving towards independence, children returning to live with their families and those moving to alternative family placements. It is also accessible to all vulnerable young people, including those with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
Throughcare is support offered to young people to prepare them for independence.
Aftercare is the support service available to young people as they move out of the care system.
Support can cover all aspects of care, from practical matters such as cooking, shopping and cleaning to the financial advice and support required to cope with things like benefits, budgeting and banking.
Emotional support is also an important aspect of Aftercare. It can be as basic or as complex as you need. Social Care and others, such as the Careers Service, Housing and Health can give advice on how to:
- find and keep accommodation
- find and keep a job
- access further training/education
- develop personal relationships
Your social worker will listen to your concerns, arrange services for you and advise you of the resources which are available to you.
Within the "Looked after Children" team there are two social workers who help provide the Aftercare service.
Housing services can provide advice on housing options, rent, sheltered accommodation and homelessness, as can Hjaltland Housing Association. There are 60 single person units in Lerwick/Bressay and 30 single person units in the rural areas.
Health Services are accessible throughout Shetland. Advice, information and support are available from a range of professionals including a Community Psychiatric Nurse for under eighteen year olds.
The Careers Service can offer support to individuals in assessing their needs in relation to training, further education and employment. The Job Centre offers various schemes for young people to access employment and also offers Supported Employment schemes.
Every young person should be fully consulted in plans for their future and assisted to maintain links with their family, to develop satisfactory personal relationships and be supported throughout.
What else is available?
Helpline numbers:
Childline - freephone 0800 1111
Childline bullying helpline: 0800 44 1111
Scottish Child Law Centre Tel: 0131 667 6333 or freephone for under 18s: 0800 328 8970
http://www.sclc.org.uk/ or email: enquiries@sclc.org.uk
The Stepping Out And Moving On Project - is a national scheme which offers support and practical advice to young people about to leave care. Tel: 0141 204 1400 or Fax: 0141 204 6588
or email: nfcasteppingout@hotmail.com
Other Helpful Websites:
www.scottishthroughcare.org.uk - Forum Online shares information on a wide range of throughcare & aftercare practice and policy developments for young people leaving care in Scotland.
www.skill.org.uk - "promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment".
Free Helpline: Tel. 0800 328 5050
For further information please see our Leaflets page and the Other Organisations page.