Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of People.

The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of People (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the signing of ‘The Care Leaver Covenant’ for the benefit of care leavers in Darlington.

The submitted report stated that in July 2016, the Government published a major policy document entitled ‘Keep on Caring’, to support young people from care to independence; a key policy commitment in the paper was a strategic pledge to introduce a ‘Care Leaver Covenant’; the Covenant worked with organisations across different sectors to provide support for care leavers aged between 16 and 25 years of age to help them to live independently; it was funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Spectra; it was an app that could be downloaded by care leavers and workers; and that there was no cost attached to signing up to the Covenant, more a commitment to continue to offer and strengthen opportunities for care leavers in Darlington.  All young people are statutorily provided with support from their Local Authority, including being assigned a Personal Advisors, and these advisors would encourage young people to download the app and make use of any available offers.

It was reported that there were five care leaver ‘outcomes,’ which anchored all of the Care Leavers’ Covenant activity, namely that care leavers were better prepared and supported to live independently; had improved access to employment, education and training; experienced stability in life and feeling safe and secure; had improved access to health and emotional support; and that they achieved financial stability.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the content of the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That approval be given for this Council to sign ‘The Care Leaver Covenant’ for the benefit of care leavers in Darlington.

REASONS – (a) To ensure that care leavers in Darlington are given the best opportunities to support them into independence and to achieve their potential.

(b)  To ensure that as Corporate Parents the Council continues to be ambitious for its children and young people and offer the highest quality of service, in line with our Care Leavers Local Offer.