Support for 16 to 24-year-olds
Health and Wellbeing
Health Assessments
While you are a child in the care of the Local Authority, you must be offered a Health Assessment at least every 12 months. We strongly recommend this as it will help to pick up any worries you may have early, or anything you haven’t spotted. It is a safe space to ask any questions about health with a health professional.
Care Leaver Health Summary
When you turn 18, the Children in Care Nursing Team will send you a Health Summary which includes your immunisation record, information on how to access a GP, dentist and optician and where you can go for health advice and information.
Financial support
You may be eligible for some financial support towards dental checks and treatments if you’re:
- aged 16 to 18 years in full-time education
- pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- having treatment as an in-patient or out-patient at an NHS hospital
- receiving universal credit
- on a low income and have a health credit certificate (known as HC2 or HC3 certificate)
There is also a free dental access scheme which is accessible for Care Leavers. A referral can be made for routine dental care via the access scheme, either through your PA or by emailing cheshireicbsafeguarding@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk. An appointment will then be allocated at a dentist who is registered with the scheme.
If you don’t have a usual dentist and you have an urgent need, you can call the local dental helpline for Cheshire and Merseyside on 0161 476 9651 to arrange an emergency appointment.
You may also be eligible for free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses/contact lenses if you’re:
- aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- receiving universal credit
- on a low income and have a health credit certificate (known as HC2 or HC3 certificate)
You are eligible for free prescriptions if you’re:
- aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- receiving universal credit
- pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months (you will need an exemption certificate from your GP)
- receiving treatment in hospital
If you’re on a low income you can apply for a health credit certificate known as HC2 or HC3. This will give you free or reduced cost dental and eye checks/treatment. This is dependent on your income and needs at the time you apply for support. A certificate can last from six months to five years depending on your circumstances. To find out more, ask your GP, dentist or optician, or ask your Personal Advisor to help you apply.
If you do not fall into any of the groups listed below and you are worried about the costs, please talk to us and we can see what we can do to help you find a way forward.
PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
PIP can help with extra living costs if you have both:
- a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
There are two parts to PIP:
- a daily living part - if you need help with everyday tasks
- a mobility part - if you need help with getting around
Whether you get one or both parts and how much you get depends on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.
More information can be found on the Gov.UK website: PIP. Alternatively, you can ask your Personal Advisor for advice.
Emotional and Therapeutic Support
If you are open to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) before you turn 18, we will work with you and your CAMHS team to think about whether you need to transfer to an adult mental health service and if so, support this to happen.
This is our local service, provided by Polaris. The THOR service will promote emotional health, wellbeing and resilience, which is tailored to your individual needs and will deliver outcome-focused interventions built on a robust evidence-based approach. It is an emotional health and wellbeing model which provides therapeutic support and is open to you up to age 25.
To access support your social worker or PA will need to complete an SDQ questionnaire (Strengths & difficulties questionnaire) and access a referral from via the electronic recording system they have. There is also an SDQ for you to complete which helps THOR workers understand your needs. The social worker or PA will then attend a consultation and with your consent discuss your support needs. After that, you may be allocated a service from THOR or THOR staff will make recommendations to your professional network or signpost to more appropriate supports. Should your professional disagree with the decision at consultation or the completed SDQ evidence low need, they can professionally challenge and be allocated to be heard at the EHWB panel (Emotional Health and Wellbeing Board).
Your GP is a good source of support for your emotional and mental health. We do recommend talking to them about what you think you need.
Adult Mental Health Social Care support for adults with mental health needs is coordinated by locality teams. Referrals are made via the link below and your Personal Advisor can support you with this or they, or someone else you trust, can make a referral for you if you wish.
Alternatively, you can contact Adult Social Care by phone on 0300 123 7034.
Community Mental Health Teams (health practitioners) can get involved by you asking your GP.
Other teams may be appropriate to support you, for example the Early Intervention Team. If you have been admitted to hospital in relation to your mental health, health and social care teams will work together to identify the best support.
Kooth is a free, anonymous, online counselling and emotional well-being service available to young people aged 16-25. Support from qualified therapists is accessible up to 10pm every night, 365 days/year. Kooth also offers other key features of support including an online interactive magazine, peer support, live forums, and journaling. Young people are able to register for support through Kooth independently.
Visit to enjoy a cup of coffee and take a moment to prioritise your mental health. This safe space was established as a sanctuary ‘on the high street’ for open dialogue and community support.
- Website: Wellbeing Café
- Address: Bluecoat Square, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE
- Phone: 07849 445787
Our health is affected by our activity, and vice versa. The job centre and our Skills and Employability Hub recognise this and are able to help you develop confidence and skills recognising current health challenges, so do talk to them about options for you. Your Personal Advisor can help you do this, if you would like them to.
Neurodiversity is the concept that there is natural variation in how people’s brains work. The idea is that there’s no “correct” way for the brain to work. Instead, there is a wide range of ways that people perceive and respond to the world, including those with ADHD, autism and learning differences . Being neurodiverse means having a brain that functions differently from the typical brain. It can be a superpower in some ways but cause some difficulties in other areas.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. It is described as a “persistent” or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development. Individuals with ADHD may have difficulties with maintaining attention, initiate activities, planning tasks and working memory. They can fidget, struggle to sit still and act impulsively.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is based on core behaviours appearing in early development (usually before three years of age): • Impaired development in social interaction and communication • Restricted and repetitive interests and activities. Although behavioural-cognitive traits associated with ASC are found in the general population, it is the severity, intensity and co-occurrence that lead to a diagnosis. Children and young people may also experience sensory issues and high anxiety levels.
- National Autistic Society
- Cheshire Autism Practical Support | Cheshire
- Understanding Autism Comic Strip
Additional advice on special educational support can be accessed via the Cheshire West and Chester Information and Advisory service (iasservice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk). All services for children and young people with any special educational needs provided by the local authority, health or voluntary sector should also be found on the Livewell website: SEND Local Offer.
NHS App
The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google Play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.
You must be aged 13 or over to use the NHS App. You also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man.
What you can do with the NHS App
You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App.
With full access, you can:
- order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
- book and manage appointments
- view your GP health record to see information like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
- register your organ donation decision
- choose how the NHS uses your data
- find out and view your NHS number
- use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you
Depending on your GP surgery or hospital, you may be able to use the NHS App to:
- message your GP surgery or a health professional online
- contact your GP surgery using an online form and get a reply
- access health services on behalf of someone you care for
- view and manage your hospital and other healthcare appointments
- view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you
- view and manage care plans
- keep your data secure
To download the NHS App:
Support around substance use
VIA is a charity offering free, confidential support to adults and young people with issues around alcohol dependency and drug use across the UK.
Leisure, fitness, connections and outdoors
Brio Leisure pass
If you live in Cheshire West and Chester, you are entitled to have a free Brio Leisure pass up to your 21st birthday, which enables you to make use of Brio Leisure facilities at free or reduced rates. Requests are made by your PA to the Participation and Inclusion Team.
Bus pass
Up to the age of 21, you are entitled to a free bus pass covering the area of Cheshire West and Chester. The request is made by your PA to the relevant Operations Assistant with our Transport and Infrastructure Team.
Driving lessons
Care Leavers can access £400 towards driving lessons and the costs associated with obtaining a provisional licence via the CiCC Trust Fund. Please speak to your Personal Advisor to find out more.
Support groups
Depending where you live, there are likely to be supportive groups or other support offers that will help with developing independence and supporting good physical and mental health. Ask your Personal Advisor if you would like help to identify possible options.
