"Being a care leaver means I'm someone who's been on a path, one of struggle. Now I must find my own path and start on that future" - the views of 19-year-old Kim from Keynsham, one of the 110 care leavers currently being supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

For many young people leaving care is a daunting prospect and this year to mark Care Leavers Week (26 October – 1 November) the council is highlighting the achievements of those leaving care and the support provided by its 'Moving On' team in helping them make the transition to independent living.

Care leavers are young adults, who have spent time in foster or residential care outside their immediate or extended family before the age of 18. As they leave care the council's team of Personal Advisors work closely with them providing one-to-one support and advice on a range of issues from finding somewhere to live and setting up their first home to accessing further education or entering the world of work. The Personal Advisors work with care leavers up to the age of 25.

James suffered neglect and emotional abuse from his family which meant that he ended up in foster care from a young age. He had a number of foster homes due to placement breakdowns, before finally moving into semi-supported accommodation just before he turned 18. Since then he's finished his studies and secured part-time work with a local company.

James is now working hard with his Personal Advisor and his B&NES employment mentor and is considering additional training to further his career. James said: "To me being a care leaver means whilst I have faced many challenges, there are many positives too. Living with people from different backgrounds and beliefs, living independently from a young age and the opportunity to make change have all developed and shaped me and my future."

Nicola Bruton, one of the council's Personal Advisors said: "We don't do things 'for' or 'to' the young person. It is a relationship of consent – we offer guidance and support to help young people make the best decisions for themselves.

"Every day is different. We support young people with varying childhood experiences, disabilities and needs. One morning I can be supporting someone to go to University, the next I'm walking the streets to find a young person who is homeless to check they have food. One minute I'm talking to the police about a serious safeguarding concern, the next I'm ordering pots and pans for a young person as they move into their first home."

Personal Advisors work hard to help care leavers achieve their potential as they become independent and many thrive successfully progressing into work, training and further and higher education.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "Many care leavers have experienced traumatic childhoods and it can be hard for them to navigate the transition to independent living. Our team of Personal Advisors provide invaluable support and last year Ofsted praised our local offer as "comprehensive, accessible and ambitious and its impact tangible."

"I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate our care leavers on their achievements, many have overcome so much in their short lives to make a really positive contribution to their communities."

To celebrate National Care Leavers Week Personal Advisors have nominated some care leavers who are facing a tough time, have overcome difficulties or successfully accomplished a goal for special awards. They'll be presented with small prizes in recognition of their efforts.