Agenda item - Support for Care Leavers

Report of the Executive Director; Families, Children and Learning (Copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

1.    Notes the support offer available to care leavers living within Brighton & Hove.

2.    Notes the development of a Local Offer for Care Leavers up to age 25 which will build on the existing supports in place.

3.    Notes that there is no current provision in the city for care leavers age 25 and over and no statutory duty to provide this.

66.1    The Head of Service, Care Contact gave a brief overview of the report pertaining to support for care leaver. She referred to the notice of motion and stated the intention to withdraw items 2.4 and 2.5.

66.2    The Committee agreed to have this removed.

66.3    The Head of Service, Care Contact stated that support advice for care leavers would be provided alongside a range of other support including access to independent skills; council tax exemption while living in the City, mentoring support and a staying put arrangement. She noted that local authorities will have a duty of consideration on advice to care leaver up to the age of 25. She noted that local authorities must provide a local offer. She further noted that there is no help or statutory duty to provide help to over 25’s.

66.4    Councillor Brown stated that care leavers between the age of 25-30 might need help if possible to get a trust up and running.

66.5    Amanda Mortensen stated she had received positive feedback from people

66.6    The Head of Service, Care Contact stated that people on a waiting list go to a supported accommodation panel, if there is a need, alternatives will be sorted.

66.7    Councillor Wealls stated that in regard to the Chair’s charities, it was inappropriate for the committee to make recommendations and that this should be considered in future.

66.8    Councillor Penn referred to care leavers up to the age of 25 with mental health issues and enquired if they receive priority referrals and treatment

66.9    The Head of Service, Care Contact stated that there is an outreach team for care leavers between the ages of 14 to 25 and if the leaver was from Brighton and Hove they would be highly prioritised.

66.10  RESOLVED: That the Committee –

1.    Notes the support offer available to care leavers living within Brighton & Hove.

2.    Notes the development of a Local Offer for Care Leavers up to age 25 which will build on the existing supports in place.

3.    Notes that there is no current provision in the city for care leavers age 25 and over and no statutory duty to provide this.