Your Pathway Plan

A Pathway Plan is an agreement between you and Wirral Council about the support you will receive as you leave care and become more independent.

It should reflect:

• Your wishes and goals

• Your strengths and achievements

• The support you need

• Your plans for the future

• Any worries or challenges you may be facing

The plan should be created with you, not for you.

Your views, opinions and aspirations should always be at the centre of the conversation.

You will usually start working on your Pathway Plan around your 16th birthday.

As you get older and your circumstances change, your plan will be updated to make sure it continues to reflect your needs and goals.

Your Personal Advisor will help you understand the plan and make sure you are fully involved in creating it.

Your Pathway Plan looks at all the important areas of your life.

Education, Training and Employment

Your plan will help you think about:

• School, college or university

• Apprenticeships and training opportunities

• Employment and career goals

• Skills you would like to develop

• Support you may need to achieve your ambitions

Accommodation

Your plan will discuss:

• Where you currently live

• Where you would like to live in the future

• Housing options available to you

• Preparing for independent living

• Any support you may need with accommodation

Money and Finances

Your plan will help you understand:

• Financial support available to you

• Benefits and allowances

• Budgeting and money management

• Saving for the future

• Managing bills and household expenses

Health and Wellbeing

This includes:

• Physical health

• Mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Accessing health services

• Healthy lifestyles

• Any additional support needs

Family, Friends and Relationships

Your plan should consider:

• People who are important to you

• Maintaining family relationships

• Friendships and support networks

• Positive and healthy relationships

• Building a strong support system

Independence and Life Skills

This might include:

• Cooking

• Shopping

• Cleaning

• Managing a home

• Travel and transport

• Managing appointments

• Building confidence and resilience

Lots of people may help you develop your Pathway Plan, including:

• Your Personal Advisor

• Your Social Worker

• Foster carers or residential staff

• Education providers

• Health professionals

• Family members

• Trusted adults

• Advocates

You can ask for someone you trust to attend meetings and support you during discussions about your future.

Your Pathway Plan will be reviewed at least every six months.

Reviews are an opportunity to:

• Celebrate achievements

• Discuss any challenges

• Update your goals

• Review support arrangements

• Make sure the plan still reflects what you want

If something significant changes in your life, your plan can be reviewed sooner.

Your Personal Advisor plays a key role in helping you achieve the goals within your Pathway Plan.

They can help you:

• Access services and support

• Find accommodation

• Apply for education or training

• Explore employment opportunities

• Understand financial support

• Build independence skills

• Stay connected to important people

They are there to support you and help you navigate adulthood.

You have the right to be involved in every decision about your future.

If you disagree with something in your Pathway Plan, want to make changes or feel your views have not been listened to, speak to your Personal Advisor or ask for support from an Advocate.

This is your plan.

It should reflect your goals, your dreams and the future you want to build.

Remember

There is no single path into adulthood.

Everyone's journey is different and it is okay if your plans change along the way.