Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director, Care Wellbeing and Learning

A report was presented to seek the views of the Committee on the provision on the support offered to care leavers and forward these views to the Looked After Children’s Team.

An increasing focus is being placed on care leavers and every local authority has a statutory duty under Children Leaving Care Act 2000 to offer care leavers support.  Gateshead published their current offer on the Council website, which outlines the service and support we offer.

Under the Children and Social Work Act 2017, the Government introduced the requirement for local authorities to publish a ‘Local Care Leaver Offer’, which outlines services for care leavers available within the local authority area.  The Local Offer will be published in April 2018 and will include:

·         Council tax exemption for care leavers up to the age of 25

·         Peer mentoring

·         Housing pathway with a range of options for young people

·         An improved employment, education and training offer from both within the council and from partners.

·         Support from our partners and local businesses to support our care leavers both practically, emotionally and culturally

The Government has introduced a set of Corporate Parenting principles that require all departments within a local authority to recognised their role as corporate parents and encourage them to look at the support and services they provide.  The principles require corporate parents:

·         To act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and wellbeing of those children and young people

·         To encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings

·         To take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people

·         To help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners

·         To promote high aspirations and seek the best outcomes for those children and young people

·         For those children and young people to be safe and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work; and

·         To prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living

All Care Leavers have a pathway plan which considers the young persons need for support and assistance, based on previous assessments and LAC plans.  The pathway plan sets out what they need and who will support them.  The plan is reviewed every six months to ensure the care leaver is being support in their transition from care.  The pathway plan outlines:

·         Accommodation

·         Practical Life Skills including money management

·         Education and Training

·         Employment

·         Financial Support

·         Specific Support needs

·         Contingency plans for support if independent living breaks down

These elements are intended to provide a full package of support to the young person to enable them to make the transition from care to living independently.  The young person’s voice is key to the success of the pathway plan and they be actively encouraged to attend the pathway plan review or have their views represented by a person of their choice or via MOMO.

It was noted that if young people aren’t quite ready for apprenticeships, they will be able to attend a one year study programme. 

It was also noted that prior to anyone moving into taster flats, they will have some budget management training and managing income and expenditure.

It was queried whether we were being inclusive in terms of allowing our people to achieve.  It was noted that whilst some are just not at the correct levels of maturity due to the substantial neglect they have endured.  A number go on later in life to complete college/university courses.

RESOLVED         -           That it be noted that the Committee are happy to accept the progress be made in the level of support offered to care leavers.