Issue - items at meetings - Employability for Young People in Care and Care Leavers

Extract from the proceedings of the Corporate Parenting Sub-Committee meeting held on the 23^rd January 2013 together with a report of the Interim director of Children’s Services (copies attached).

(1)               That the recommendations as listed in the extract from the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Sub-Committee meeting be noted;

(2)               That it be agreed in principle to providing young people in care and care leavers with support (such as training, work placement etc) to increase their employability prospects; and

(3)               That officers be instructed to bring a report to the next meeting of the committee with proposals for the best way of providing young people in care and care leavers with the support necessary to enhance their chances of securing gainful employment and training.

172.1          The Chair noted that the report had been referred from the Corporate Parenting Sub-Committee for consideration and as such proposed that the report be noted and that officers be requested to bring a further report back to the committee on how young people in care and care leavers could be supported in gaining employment opportunities.  He also noted that the report outlining changes to the constitution recommended that the sub-committee should revert back to being a Board but the Leader and the Chief Executive should be members of that Board.

172.2          Councillor Shanks welcomed the Chair’s proposal and formally seconded it.

172.3          Councillor A. Norman welcomed the report and noted that the Conservative Group had recently received a presentation from the 16+ Advisory Board which had emphasised the importance for Members to retain their role of Corporate Parents and to be represented on the Corporate Parenting Board.

172.4          Councillor Mitchell welcomed the report and its inclusion on the agenda and stated that she fully supported the Chair’s proposals and looked forward to receiving a further report.

172.5          The Chair thanked the Members for their comments and put the recommendations to the vote.

172.6          RESOLVED:

(1)         That the recommendations as listed in the extract from the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Sub-Committee meeting be noted;

(2)         That it be agreed in principle to providing young people in care and care leavers with support (such as training, work placement etc) to increase their employability prospects; and

(3)         That officers be instructed to bring a report to the next meeting of the committee with proposals for the best way of providing young people in care and care leavers with the support necessary to enhance their chances of securing gainful employment and training.

Report of the Interim director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

28.1         The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services in relation to the Employability for Young People in Care and Care Leavers. The report outlined the positive actions to develop employment opportunities as detailed in the Corporate Parenting Strategy. Employability related to a wide range of opportunities that the Council and its partners can offer young people and include apprenticeships, work experience, taster days and work placements. The strategy assisted young people action to improve employability and included: advocating and providing work experience, work placements and employment opportunities within the Council and its partners, and promoting the needs of care leavers for work experience, training and job opportunities with employers and employer organisations in the city.

28.2         It was highlighted that there would be apprenticeships fair in February. Officers in Children’s Service would have two weeks notice before job adverts went out publicly to give support to children in care and care leavers whom wished to apply; the job opportunities would still have to offer publically to meet equality and employment laws.

28.3         It was noted that the Council should have a crucial role in not only signposting young people, but also providing opportunities. Officers explained that schools also had a statutory duty to offer careers advice, and care leavers were entitled to pathway plans.

28.4         Councillor Gilbey noted that this process should begin before aged 16, and Officers said that work experience at an earlier age was important. Councillor Shanks added that it was also important foster carers had access to the necessary information.

28.5         The Sub-Committee agreed to forward the report to the Policy & Resources Committee for further discussion, and to consider how such opportunities could be provided across the Council. Officers added that the commitment to provide opportunities needed to be much more explicit.

28.6         RESOLVED –

      i.               That Sub-Committee monitor the development of bespoke packages leading to sustainable employment for each young person in care, based on an assessment of their interests, aspirations and abilities.  This will assist Childrens Services in improving outcomes and reducing NEET (Not Engaged in Education, Employment or Training) for these young people.

    ii.               That Sub-Committee secure a commitment across the local authority, and with other partner agencies wherever possible, to support packages of work placements, work experience, apprenticeships, full and part-time employment and training for young people in care and care leavers. 

  iii.               That these employability opportunities form the basis of Brighton & Hove City Council policy and procedure to assist our young people leaving care to achieve economic well being.

  iv.               That the report be forwarded to the Policy & Resources Committee to discuss how such opportunities can be provided corporately.