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Emotional health and wellbeing support

Dudley Care Leavers can request support directly from the Emotional Wellbeing Support team.

There is no referral process, and a worker is available at the young people’s Drop-in. The integrated emotional health and wellbeing support offer provides dedicated, timely support for young people who are experiencing emotional/behavioural/mental health difficulties.  A holistic approach supports the reduction of potential placement breakdowns and ensures a better chance of stability within a young person’s home, by offering consultation, advice and training to professionals and carers working with and caring for young people. The offer reflects a flexible approach and reassures individuals that they don’t need to repeat their ‘story’ when needing emotional wellbeing support.

Support can be provided 1:1 and/or via group sessions. The Emotional Wellbeing worker also runs mindfulness sessions on a regular basis to help with overall wellbeing.

Listening Works

Independent 7 days a week support for care leavers 6pm - midnight
Listening Works, run by Family Action is a new independent support service run by trained volunteers for care leavers. It offers 7 day a week help via phone, text or web chat 6pm - midnight.

Telephone: 0808 802 0222
Text message: 07860 065 169
Live web chat: Family Action website

Always Heard

Advocacy free Helpline for Children in Care and Care experienced/ Leavers.

Always Heard, run by independent organisation Coram Voice, is the only national service in England that can provide an Advocate to children and young people who cannot access the local advocacy support they are entitled to.

Funded by the Department for Education, the Always Heard service means that, for the first time, there is a single national advocacy advice service and gateway that young people can use. Through Always Heard, young people now can access vital advocacy services across the country, and an advocacy ‘safety net’ for when things go wrong, and they cannot get advocacy from their local service. 

The helpline is free and available to all children in care, care leavers, or the adults referring them, who live in England. They can answer any questions about the services children are entitled to and offer information on how to get an advocate who will help to guide them through the social care system.

Coram Voice is a free, confidential national advocacy helpline (0808 800 5792) run by Coram Voice for children in care and care leavers (up to 25) in England. It acts as a "safety net" to help young people understand their rights, navigate the social care system, and access local advocacy support. 

Key Aspects of Always Heard for Care Leavers:

  • Advocacy & Support: Provides 1-to-1 support to ensure care leavers' voices are heard in decisions affecting their lives, including issues with housing, finance, or rights.
  • National "Safety Net": If a local advocacy service is unavailable or unable to help, Always Heard provides direct advocacy to ensure no child or young person is turned away.
  • Rights Information: Helps care leavers understand their legal rights and entitlements, including support with their Pathway Plan.
  • Access: The freephone number is 0808 800 5792, with additional support available via email (help@coramvoice.org.uk).
  • Context: The service was established due to findings that many local services are restricted or unable to support care leavers, particularly those over 18.

This service ensures care leavers can challenge decisions and receive the support they are entitled to as they transition to adulthood. 
Always Heard provides advice and advocacy for Looked After Children, Care Leavers, and young people on the edge of care from 0-25 years old.

If you are working with or know a child that needs advocacy, please contact Always Heard.

Dudley Talking Therapy Service supports individuals aged 16 or over who are experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, low mood, panic or phobias. The service also offers treatment to people with long-term physical health conditions to help them manage their mental health and wellbeing. You can self-refer using the number below or contact them online. Contact the service by telephoning 0800 953 0404.

Kooth is an online emotional health and wellbeing platform for young people, providing an online counselling service for young people aged 11 - 19. Kooth.com is a fantastic way for you to get the help and support you need, when you need it, rather than having to wait weeks for a referral or an appointment. Go to https://www.kooth.com.

Young Minds is committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people and empowering their parents and carers. Visit: https://www.youngminds.org.uk for more information.

Samaritans provides emotional support for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgment or pressure.

Email jo@samaritans.org or call 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.

Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help you stay on top of your mental wellbeing. Call 08000 58 58 58, daily 5pm to midnight.

Papyrus is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing in young people. They believe that no young person should have to struggle alone with thoughts of suicide Call 0800 068 41 41 or text 07786 209 697 or visit https://www.papyrus-uk.org.

Sane is a confidential service which offers non-judgemental and compassionate emotional support. Call 0300 304 7000 or email support@sane.org.uk.

The What? Centre, based in Stourbridge, helps to empower young people towards achieving their potential through:

  • Providing an advice and information service that helps young people with complex issues such as housing, homelessness, employment and training, budgeting and debt
  • Providing a therapeutic counselling service
  • Continuously developing services that reflect the changing need and opportunities
  • Lobbying on behalf of young people
  • Pioneering new ways of working with young people 

For more information, visit https://www.thewhatcentre.com

We are building relationships with other partners to support our Care Experienced young people. Please see the link to our resources and partner agencies directory.

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