Date published: August 26, 2025
Local learning and success for young people leaving children’s care in Bury
Working with Persona in Bury, and 29 other Shared Lives schemes, Shared Lives Plus have been running the care leavers programme to embed Shared Lives to be the first choice for care leavers with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and for it to be part of the core offer for all care leavers going forward.
Persona in Bury have supported Alex* and his Shared Lives carer, Susan* to:
- Transition from foster care to Shared Lives so that Susan who was previously his foster carer can continue to provide consistent support for Alex as his Shared Lives carer
- Offer a day support arrangement once Alex reached 18 so he could split his time in Shared Lives and with his birth mother
- Build on Alex’s independence skills
- Find a job in the local community for Alex, supporting the council with general maintenance and cleaning
Now, Alex is looking to move into his own flat whilst still being supported by Susan and he’s very excited about this next stage of his life.
Supporting this transition between foster care and Shared Lives has opened opportunity for future unity between children’s and adult’s services in Bury.
“Supporting Alex (and Susan) was a success, we are pleased to see Alex moving on to independent living with our support. Susan is also considering opening up her home to more young people leaving care as part of Shared Lives. We have some amazing carers with lots of knowledge and experience to support young people with the next part of their journeys and working with social workers, we’re looking forward to supporting more care leavers in Shared Lives.”
“This transition from foster care to Shared Lives for Alex and Susan is a successful real-life example demonstrating the needs to refer young people leaving care way before their 18th birthday. Often, young people are referred too late, with temporary arrangements in place to bridge the gap. Ensuring a smooth and early transition to Shared Lives provides certainty for the young people and all involved.” – Rachel Leslie, Strategic Advisor People Leaving Care and Transitions, Shared Lives Plus
You can read more about the work taking place in Bury for young people here, and find out about Shared Lives in Bury: https://www.personasupport.org/
Find out more about this project in Bury.
If you’re interested in learning more about the care leavers programme, please contact:
Rachel Leslie, Strategic Advisor People Leaving Care and Transitions at Shared Lives Plus:
07931 561256 rachel.leslie@sharedlivesplus.org.uk
