Care leavers – parenting support

Care experienced parents can access a range of support in pregnancy and early parenthood.

What support is on offer?

Your Personal Adviser (PA) will help you every step of the way. The type of support they can help you access includes:

• midwifery services
• antenatal and postnatal appointments
• baby baskets with essential mother and baby items
• sessions and courses at Children’s Centres and Best Start Family Hubs 

Parenting sessions and courses

Your PA will tell you about local parenting sessions and attend them with you if you like. They will recommend:

• The Nurture Course to build confidence and positive parent-child relationships.
• Care Leaver Stay and Play sessions where you can meet other care experienced parents and children, and PAs too.

Our PA trained as a Fatherhood Champion, also helps care experienced Dads get the support they need.

Support from the Family Nurse Partnership

Eligible parents can access intensive support from the Family Nurse Partnership.

Trained family nurses from the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust offer:

• home visits from early pregnancy until your child’s second birthday
• help with bonding and attachment
• advice on a healthy lifestyle and how to prepare psychologically
• a unique ‘Healthy Child Programme’
• goal setting and future planning support

You can access this service if you are:

• 19 years old or under at conception or
• a first-time parent aged 24 and under who has experienced the care system.

This allows care experienced parents to receive this support into their 25th year.