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Care Leavers Local Offer - Health and wellbeing

Looking after your physical, mental and emotional health is important. The Care Leavers Team can help you access the right health and wellbeing services and activities to support your needs.

You can also download the full Care Leavers Local Offer for health and wellbeing.

On this page

Is the offer for me?

Being your legal ‘corporate parent’ means Nottinghamshire County Council and key partner organisations must provide certain support and services by law. In Nottinghamshire, these are provided because they are the right thing to do and to help you stay happy and healthy.

If you’re unsure whether the offer applies to you, contact the Leaving Care Team or ask your personal adviser.

Care leavers in Nottinghamshire are recognised as having a ‘protected characteristic’. This means decisions are made with your needs at the centre so you are not prejudged or denied opportunities because of your care experience. If you feel you are being treated differently, speak with your personal adviser or someone in the Leaving Care Team.

Alongside the main Local Offer for Care Leavers, there are also specialist Local Offers:

  • Achievement Offer – support to aspire and achieve in employment, education and training
  • Custody Offer – for young people in custody, leaving custody or linked with the Youth Justice Service or the Probation Service
  • Parenting Offer – for care leavers who are a parent or preparing to become a parent
  • Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Offer – for young people who are looked‑after children or care leavers seeking asylum
  • 21Plus Service Offer – support for care leavers aged over 21

Your health

Looking after your physical and mental health is important. This includes being registered with a GP, going to regular dental and eye check-ups, managing any medication, and knowing how to access healthcare when you need it — both in planned situations and emergencies.

You should also be able to access support around mental health, emotional wellbeing, sexual health, and specific needs such as pregnancy, disability, neurodiversity, or undiagnosed conditions.

If you have concerns about your health, it’s important to talk to your personal adviser or another trusted professional. They are there to support you, and anything you share will be treated with respect and confidentiality.

Your health information

If you were looked after before turning 18, you should have had regular Health Assessments. These were included in your care plan and pathway plan to help make sure your health needs were supported.

When you become a care leaver (usually at 18), you should receive a copy of your health information. If you don’t have this, speak to your personal adviser who can help you access it.

Your Pathway Plan should include details of the health services you're registered with or can access. If you need help registering with a GP, dentist or optician — or changing to a new one — your personal adviser can support you with this.

Supporting your health needs

Neurodiversity

Young people with a neurodiverse condition, or those who suspect they may have one, can request information and communication to be adapted to suit their needs. Personal advisers can discuss the most helpful ways to provide support.

Disability, long-term health conditions or special educational needs

Young people with additional needs or health diagnoses may require tailored support. Personal advisers can help to understand specific needs and ensure the right services are accessed at the right time. For more information, including a range of available support options, check out the Special Educational Needs Local Offer .

Young people seeking asylum

Support is available to help asylum-seeking care leavers register with a GP, dentist and optician. Primary health services are the first place to go for general health concerns, including teeth and eyesight. If more specialist care is needed, a GP can make a hospital referral.
Emotional wellbeing support is also available for those who may be experiencing sadness or isolation after leaving family and home.

There is also a Parenting Offer for care leavers who are parents or preparing to become parents, co-produced with young people who have lived experience. Speak with a personal adviser for more details, or check out the webpage for The Parenting Offer.

Your identity

It’s important for care leavers to feel safe, supported and able to express who they are. Identity can relate to cultural background, personal history, gender, sexuality, beliefs, or future goals. Support is available to help young people explore and affirm their identity with confidence.

Support may include:

  • You Know Your Mind – funding and support for improving mental and emotional wellbeing through activities or approaches that are meaningful to the individual. Speak with a personal adviser for more information.
  • LGBTQIA+ support – information and support is available around gender identity and sexuality. To find out more, speak with a personal adviser or for resources in Nottinghamshire, visit Notts LGBT.

You are not alone

Being a care leaver can sometimes feel isolating, but support is available. Whether it’s someone to talk to, or help finding activities to feel more connected, there are options to explore.

Connecting with others—especially people with shared experiences or similar interests—can improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Local clubs and societies are available in areas like art, music, games, and sport. For more information, check out the Leisure Offer.

If you’re feeling sad, lonely, or anxious, help is available to find someone to talk to. It may also be possible to apply for funding through the You Know Your Mind fund, which supports emotional wellbeing through personalised activities or items.

Monthly 'coffee and cake' drop-in sessions also run in various areas and are open to all care leavers who would like to attend.

Healthy Relationships

All relationships can have their challenges – whether they’re with a partner, friend or family member. Disagreements or arguments are normal from time to time, but if they happen often or involve violence, control or emotional abuse, then it’s important to know that this is not okay.

Abuse can include:

  • being hit, hurt or threatened
  • being forced to do things you don’t want to do
  • being stopped from seeing friends, family or professionals
  • being controlled through money or emotional pressure
  • having your phone or personal space monitored

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

Sexual Health

Looking after your sexual health is an important part of staying well – both physically and emotionally. It can include:

  • using contraception
  • understanding changes in your body
  • avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy
  • knowing where to go for support and advice

Sexual health services in Nottinghamshire

There are open access, free and confidential sexual health services across Nottinghamshire to ensure you can have your sexual health and or contraceptive needs met.

North Nottinghamshire (Bassetlaw) – Bassetlaw TriHealth

Telephone (Worksop): 01909 571571

Telephone (Retford): 01777 200177

Central Nottinghamshire (Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood) – My Sexual Health

Telephone: 01623 672260

South Nottinghamshire (Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe) and Nottingham City – NUH Sexual Health Service

Telephone: 0115 962 7627

Visit the South Nottinghamshire NUH Sexual Health website

Support from GPs and pharmacists

Some GP practices offer long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), but this is not available everywhere. Check with your GP directly.

Some pharmacies offer free emergency contraception. However, others may charge – so check in advance or speak with a personal adviser for support.

You can also find more information on NHS Choices

C Card Scheme (Free contraception for young people)

The C Card Scheme offers free condoms, dental dams and lubricants for young people aged 13 to 25. You don’t need to be sexually active to use the service – the advice is free, confidential and focused on helping young people make informed choices.

Visit the Nottinghamshire C Card website

Free leisure centre access

If you are a Nottinghamshire care leaver aged 18–25, you can access free membership at a local council leisure centre as part of the Local Offer. This gives you a year of free access to facilities such as the gym, swimming pool, and group exercise classes, depending on availability at your chosen centre.

To apply, contact your personal adviser. If you are over 21, you can contact the 21Plus Service by emailing 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

If you live outside Nottinghamshire but near an Everyone Active leisure centre, you may still be eligible for free membership if you are a Nottinghamshire looked after young person or care leaver. Speak to your personal adviser to explore this option.

Membership is renewed annually and may vary depending on what’s available at each centre.

Being a parent or parent to be

Support is available for care leavers who are pregnant, preparing to become a parent, or already parenting. This includes guidance to help build skills, confidence, and knowledge as a parent, as well as support for the child or children.

Nottinghamshire has a specific Local Offer for care leavers who are parents or soon-to-be parents. It has been co-produced with young people who have lived experience of parenting after care. Find more details on this offer by checking out its dedicated page.

To access support or find out more, speak with your personal adviser or contact the Leaving Care Team.

Things to do

Monthly drop-in sessions are held across Nottinghamshire for care leavers who want to catch up with a personal adviser or achievement adviser. These informal sessions are a chance to get advice, talk through plans, or simply celebrate achievements — and there's free coffee and cake.

Conversations can include:

  • Health and leisure
  • Employment and training
  • Education plans
  • Housing
  • Financial matters
  • General support and check-ins

You can drop in for five minutes or stay for the full two hours — it’s completely up to you. These sessions are free, and travel costs such as bus fares can be refunded.

To find out the latest dates, times and venues, speak with your personal adviser or, if you are over 21, email 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

If you identify as disabled or have a long-term health condition

If you were in care as a child or young person and received specialist disability support services, or if you are currently supported by Adult Social Care, you may still be able to access support, advice, and guidance through the Leaving Care service.

In some cases, your existing support arrangements may already meet your needs. However, if you require additional input from the Leaving Care Team or would benefit from a personal adviser, support can be considered based on your individual circumstances.

To discuss your situation, contact the Leaving Care Team in your area. If you are over 21, you can contact the 21Plus Service by calling 0115 804 4154 or emailing 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

Your health as you get older

Looking after both your physical and mental health remains important as you get older. If you are aged 21 or over, support is still available to help you stay safe, healthy, and well.

This can include help with registering with a GP, dentist or optician, accessing primary health care, and getting any treatments or services you may need.

If you have a disability or receive support from Adult Social Care, and you give permission, the Leaving Care Team can work with other services to identify any additional support you might need.

For more information, contact the 21Plus Service by calling 0115 804 4154 or emailing 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

Financial support for your health

Most health treatments in the UK are available for free through the NHS. If you are worried about the cost of accessing healthcare—such as prescriptions, health assessments, or specialist equipment—support may be available.

If you are being asked to pay for something and cannot afford it, possible grant funding or financial assistance can be explored to help cover the cost.

Some health conditions may also entitle you to additional financial support. To find out more, speak to your personal adviser, or if you are over 21, contact the 21Plus Service by calling 0115 804 4154 or emailing 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

Accessing emergency health care

NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical advice or are unsure where to go. You can access NHS 111 services by:

NHS 111 can help when your GP is closed or if you're unsure whether to go to A&E. You will be directed to the best service based on your symptoms.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 immediately.

Examples of life-threatening emergencies can vary between adults and children. If you need to go to hospital in an emergency, do not drive yourself. Ask someone else to drive, book a taxi, or call 999 for an ambulance. Remember to take any medication with you.

If you call 999, the operator will ask questions such as:

  • The location of the emergency (for example, postcode or nearby landmark)
  • What has happened (such as a main symptom or injury)
  • Your phone number (in case they need to call you back)

Only end the call once the operator confirms they have all the information needed. If a callback is expected, make sure someone is available to answer the phone.

Contacting the Leaving Care Team

You can contact Nottinghamshire’s Leaving Care Team by phone or email:

Bassetlaw / Newark and Sherwood

Telephone: 0115 804 4401

Email: LeavingCare.North@nottscc.gov.uk

Mansfield / Ashfield

Telephone:: 0115 804 1236

Email: LeavingCare.Central@nottscc.gov.uk

Broxtowe / Gedling / Rushcliffe

Telephone: 0115 854 6318

Email: LeavingCare.South@nottscc.gov.uk

If you are over 21 years old, you can contact the 21Plus Service by calling 0115 804 4154 or emailing 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.

For mental health support, you may find the following websites helpful:

If you would like to contact the Achievement Service, speak with your personal adviser or email achievement@nottscc.gov.uk.

The Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Team supports looked after children seeking asylum and care leavers up to their 21st birthday. You can contact the team at uasc@nottscc.gov.uk.

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact the relevant email address above.

Last updated: 30 March 2026