Although located in the Social Services Children & Families Division, 16+ Services works in partnership with a wide range of local agencies to meet the needs of two specific groups of young people.

  • Young people leaving care aged 16-21 and beyond
  • Young people in need aged 16-18 in the community

16+ Services for care leavers

If you are leaving care you are entitled to a Needs Assessment, Pathway Plan and a Personal Advisor.

Needs Assessment

You should get a statement which sets out how your needs will be assessed. It will tell you who is organising your assessment, how long it will take, who else will be involved and what to do if you are unhappy with any part of this process.

Your assessment will cover personal support, financial support, accommodation, employment, education, training, family and social relationships, your health needs and practical skills.

You should take part in the decisions about who is involved in your assessment.

Pathway Plan

When you are 16, you should have a Pathway Plan agreed with you and written down. This is about what you want to do and what you are going to do over the coming years with support from the adults involved in your life. Your plan should cover your education, training and employment, accommodation, finances, health and any arrangements to support contact with your family.

Social Worker / Personal Advisor

Your social worker will provide you with advice and support, be involved in preparing your pathway plan and ensure that the plan is met. You can contact him/her if you want advice or assistance. If you find you have serious insurmountable difficulties in getting on with your social worker, you can speak to the 16+ Manager and request a Personal Advisor.

For more details on our services to care leavers, please refer to the Children’s Charter on this website, or contact 16+ services direct (see below).

16+ Services for young people in need aged 16-18

We will work with you, your family and carers to help you find solutions to your problems under the guidance of the Children Act 1989 (link to external website). This could mean helping you stay with your family, or getting back in touch if you have already lost contact with them.

With your consent we can liaise between you and your family, offer mediation and somewhere neutral to meet.

If you are at risk of homelessness, we will assess your needs and, if appropriate, ask the Homeless Person’s Unit to assess your situation.

Our aim is to give a consistent and honest response to all enquiries. If we are unable to help we will do our best to point you in the direction of someone who can.

Advice services

We can also provide confidential advice on the following:

  • Domestic violence
  • Welfare rights
  • Family problems
  • Offending / Court
  • Drink/drug problems
  • Advice services
  • Counselling
  • Leaving care
  • Harassment
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • Housing
  • Community Services
  • Child abuse
  • Education and careers

Partnership agencies

16+ Services works in partnership with a whole range of services including Education, LLPCT, YOT, Face 2 Face, Connexions, Fugen Family Mediation Service, YPHP, YMCA.

Contact us

16+ Services
604 Leyton High Road
Leyton  E10 6RG

Tel: 020 8496 2141
Fax: 020 8496 2142

Opening times:

Monday–Thursday 9am–5.15pm, Friday 9am–5pm