Support is available if you are a care leaver who is pregnant, becoming a parent, or already caring for a child.
You can also download the full Local Offer for Care Leavers Parents Offer [PDF].
On this page
- What the Care Leavers team will do
- Pregnancy
- Being a parent
- When your baby is born
- Parenting skills
- You are not alone
- Being safe in your home
- Additional support
- Healthy relationships
- Financial support
- Family planning
- Making sure you and your child/children are safe
- Being the other parent
- Things to do
- Contacting us
What we'll do
The Care Leavers Team will:
- Help you do the best for your child and build your parenting skills
- Include your child in planning any support you need, including in your Pathway Plan
- Help you find and access services or support
- Connect you with other parents or support groups in your area
- Support you to access employment, education or training opportunities
- Provide advice, guidance and advocacy to help manage parenting demands
- Encourage and support you to enjoy being a mum, dad or parent
This part of the Local Offer has been co-produced with Nottinghamshire care leavers who have lived experience of parenting or preparing to become a parent.
Pregnancy
Becoming a parent can be rewarding, but it also brings responsibility and challenges. If you think you might be pregnant, it’s important to understand your options — especially if the pregnancy was unplanned.
There may be a lot to think about, and you might feel unsure. No one should pressure you to make a decision. It’s important that you feel supported and make the choice that’s right for you.
Your personal adviser or the 21Plus Service can talk with you about your options. They can support you with any decisions and attend medical appointments if you want them to. They can also help with travel or planning for your appointments.
Being a parent
Parenting can be exciting and rewarding, but it also takes time, support and learning. Many first-time parents feel unsure or unprepared — and that is completely normal.
Getting support is an important part of being a parent. The Care Leavers Team can help you access support before, during and after pregnancy.
Every parent needs support as children grow. Asking for help shows strength and helps you and your child develop together.
Some home situations can make parenting harder. For example, homes where there is violence, drug or alcohol use, low mood or mental health difficulties can affect a baby’s wellbeing. Keeping your child safe is your responsibility, but you don’t have to do it alone — support and guidance are available.
With the right information and help, you can build the skills and confidence to be the parent you want to be.
When your baby is born
It’s important to build trusting relationships with professionals during and after your pregnancy. Your personal adviser can help identify what support you may need as an expectant parent and connect you with services that are right for you and your family. This may include the Nottinghamshire Family Hub Networks or other support in your local area.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, your midwife and health visitor will also be available to support you. They can give you advice, information and access to other services during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Your personal adviser can help you engage with these professionals and advocate for you if needed.
Parenting skills
If you are a first-time mum and under 19, you may be eligible for the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP). This service provides regular home visits from trained family nurses until your child is 2 years old.
If you experienced difficulties while in care, you can get support from the Developmental Trauma and Attachment Team (DTAT). DTAT social workers use therapeutic techniques to help you understand how your care experience may affect your parenting and offer support for positive parenting.
Your personal adviser can also help you find parenting courses through Family Hub Networks. These may include:
- Incredible Years
- 123 Magic
- Solihull Approach
- EPEC: Being a Parent
These courses offer practical advice and tools to help you manage family life and support your child’s development.
You are not alone
Parenting can sometimes feel isolating, but support is available. The Care Leavers Team can help you access advice, support, and local parenting groups.
Meeting other parents can help you feel more confident and supported. It also gives your child the chance to develop important social and emotional skills.
Family Hubs Networks offer a range of groups and activities. These may include:
- Baby massage
- Musical play sessions
- Baby and toddler groups
Support may also be available to help you attend these sessions.
Spending time with your child in these activities can strengthen your bond and support their development.
Being safe in your home
Your child needs a home that is clean, organised and safe. If your current home isn’t suitable, speak to your personal adviser. They can help you explore options, including support from local housing departments to find appropriate accommodation.
The Care Leavers Team can also support you with making your home safer. This may include:
- Stairgates
- Cupboard locks
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- General home safety advice
Your health visitor will also talk with you about home safety before or after your baby is born.
If you need to move, private rented accommodation may be an option. In some cases, the Care Leavers Team may help with a deposit and first month’s rent.
You can also book a free home fire safety visit with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service by calling 0115 967 5948. They will help identify any fire risks in your home.
Additional support
Parenting is a full-time job, but it's also important to look after your own wellbeing. Getting support for your own needs helps you and your child.
Mental health, drugs and alcohol
If you are experiencing difficulties with mental health, emotional wellbeing, or drug or alcohol use, speak to your personal adviser. They can help you access the right support so you can be the parent you want to be.
Health conditions and additional needs
If you have a health diagnosis or other needs, support can be adapted to suit your situation as a parent. The Care Leavers Team will work with you to make sure support is available when you need it.
Neurodiversity
If you have, or think you may have, a neurodiverse condition (such as autism or ADHD), speak to your personal adviser. Support can be tailored to how you process information or communicate. Your adviser can also speak with other professionals to help them meet your needs too.
Gender, identity and sexuality
You may identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and want to explore how this relates to your experience as a parent. You can speak with your personal adviser or find more information and support on the Notts LGBT website.
Healthy relationships
Pregnancy and parenting can bring up strong emotions. Sometimes, this can lead to conflict in relationships. Arguments or violence may increase during or after pregnancy, which can affect your child’s safety and wellbeing.
Abuse can take many forms. It may include:
- Physical violence
- Being forced to do things you don’t want to do
- Being controlled — for example, through money, isolation from others, or checking your phone
- Being stopped from seeing friends, family or professionals
If you are experiencing any of these things, or are worried about how your relationship may be affecting your child, it is important to ask for help.
You can:
- Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247
- Speak to your personal adviser for support and advice
You can also request information about a partner’s past:
- Sarah’s Law: for sexual offences against children
- Clare’s Law: for a history of domestic abuse
Phone 101 to ask, or speak to your personal adviser for help with this.
Other support services
Nottinghamshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 800 0340
Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid (Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark, Sherwood): 0808 800 0340
Equation (support for men): 0115 960 5556
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Financial support
Being a parent can be expensive, so it’s important to manage your money well before your baby arrives.
Saving money
Second-hand clothes and baby items from donations or charity shops can be good quality and affordable. Babies and children grow quickly, so many items are gently used.
Some organisations may also offer grants or help with equipment. Your personal adviser can help you find out what’s available.
Benefits and financial advice
You may be entitled to:
- Childcare support
- Benefits
- One-off grants, such as a maternity grant (if you’re on a low income)
- Help with budgeting
Your personal adviser can help you apply for these and make sure you're getting the support you’re entitled to.
Support if you're in education or training
If you're studying or training, the Achievement Service can help you plan your finances. This may include:
- Student loans or bursaries
- Help with childcare costs
- Support through the Care to Learn scheme
The team can also support you if you're planning to return to work after having a baby.
For more information, contact achievement@nottscc.gov.uk.
Family planning
During your midwife appointments, you’ll be offered routine checks, including screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is to help keep you and your baby safe during birth.
After having a baby, it’s possible to become pregnant again very quickly. That’s why it’s important to talk about contraception as early as possible. You can discuss contraception options with your midwife, including implants or prescriptions, even before you leave the hospital.
You can also:
Visit www.ccardnottinghamshire.co.uk for free sexual health advice and condom services for young people in Nottinghamshire.
Making sure you and your child/children are safe
Being a care leaver does not automatically mean a social worker will assess you during pregnancy. The Care Leavers Team will work with you to make sure you have the right support and will be open with you about any concerns, as well as what you’re doing well.
Sometimes an assessment may be needed. This could happen if:
- There are concerns about your relationship
- You’ve previously had a child who no longer lives with you
- You need extra support with parenting
If this happens, the aim of the assessment is to understand what support you need. It is not about judging you, but about helping you be the best parent you can be.
Pregnancy can affect your mood and emotional wellbeing. If you’ve had low mood in the past, you may be more likely to experience this again during or after pregnancy. Caring for a baby is also tiring and stressful, and lack of sleep can increase pressure and affect confidence — even for experienced parents.
It’s important to talk to someone if you feel low. Being open and asking for help shows strength and helps professionals give you support early.
Things like eating well, getting some exercise, and learning how to manage your emotions can all help support your wellbeing.
You can also:
- Speak to your personal adviser or the 21Plus Team
- Get advice from a wellbeing worker
- Apply to the You Know Your Mind fund for support with activities or items that help your mental health
Being the other parent
If you’re a dad or the other parent, you may sometimes feel left out during pregnancy or after your baby is born. A lot of attention can focus on the birth parent and baby, and it’s normal to feel unsure about your role.
You might feel excluded from appointments or decisions. Getting involved early can help you feel more connected and included in pregnancy and birth plans.
Support is available through Nottinghamshire Family Hubs and Children’s Centres. A personal adviser can help you explore what’s available and how to get involved.
If you’re not in a relationship with your baby’s other parent, it may still be possible to be part of your child’s life and planning around their care. Speak with your personal adviser about support and local groups for separated parents.
Things to do
Monthly drop-in sessions are held across Nottinghamshire. They’re a chance to chat with a personal adviser in a relaxed setting — over coffee and cake.
You can talk about:
- Parenting
- Employment or training
- Education plans
- Housing or financial issues
- Health or leisure activities
- Or just have a general catch-up
These sessions are free. You can stay for five minutes or the full two hours — it’s up to you. Children are welcome.
Bus fares and travel costs can be refunded if needed.
To find out dates, times and locations:
- Contact your personal adviser or the 21Plus Service
- Email 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk
- Check updates on Care Leavers Team social media channels
Contacting us
You can contact the Leaving Care Team by phone or email:
Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood
Telephone: 0115 804 4401
Email: LeavingCare.North@nottscc.gov.uk
Mansfield and Ashfield
Telephone: 0115 804 1236
Email: LeavingCare.Central@nottscc.gov.uk
Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe
Telephone: 0115 854 6318
Email: LeavingCare.South@nottscc.gov.uk
If you are aged 21 or over:
Telephone: 0115 804 4154
Email: 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk
Achievement Service
Speak with your personal adviser or email: achievement@nottscc.gov.uk
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Team
Supports looked-after children seeking asylum and care leavers until their 21st birthday.
Email: uasc@nottscc.gov.uk