Care leavers who are parents

Your LCSO can support you in identifying parenting support across Newcastle or local to where you are living. Newcastle has a number of family hubs across the region and a community family offer, your LCSO will connect you with our family hub offer.

You can also speak with your health visitor or GP about local parent and baby groups and other parenting resources.

Children and Families Newcastle

As a care leaver, Children & Families Newcastle helps connect you to the wider support available across the city, including:

  • Health and wellbeing – including mental health support
  • Education, training, and employment – support to plan your future
  • Living independently – help with housing, budgeting, and life skills
  • Activities and opportunities – things to do, groups to join and ways to get involved locally

You may also be supported by a Family Partner or other professionals, who can help you understand what’s available, navigate services, and make sure you’re getting the right support at the right time

Welcome to your family hub | Children and Families Newcastle

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a support service that provides expert advice and information to support lone parents so that they have the tools to support their children and themselves. Gingerbread also provide a support network so that, with Gingerbread, no lone parent is ever alone.

For advice, call 0808 802 0925 or find out more about other ways to contact Gingerbread

Support with the children's social care process

There may be times when Children's Services may need to assess how best to support a new parent in caring for their child. This usually happens when there are worries about their ability to safely meet their child's needs, and it is not specifically related to a young person's status as a care leaver. Some situations where social care might consider an assessment include:

  • if the person is dealing with substance or alcohol misuse,
  • if they are experiencing significant mental health challenges,
  • if they are affected by domestic abuse, whether as a victim or perpetrator,
  • if they have learning difficulties and might need support in parenting a newborn.
  • in Newcastle we have a dedicated pre birth team that is dedicated to undertaking assessments before babies are born. We work with expectant parents identifying the things they are good at whilst supporting them to learn new skills.

If there are any worries about your ability to safely meet your child's needs and an assessment needs to take place, your LCSO will be able to support you in any meetings, ensure that your views are heard, that any plans for your child are clear and you understand the things you need to do in order to ensure your child is cared for safely.