FOI request (FOIR-311972558)

Care leavers

Requested Mon 01 March 2021
Responded  Fri 05 March 2021

This is a request for information regarding what you offer care leavers. We are aware of the current pandemic, time and resource constraints that you may have, but we would really appreciate this being answered.

Many lower tier district councils are unaware of the Local Offer for Care Leavers. Generally, the County Councils have been creating the local offer, but they are not responsible for council tax, leisure and housing.

Here is the legislation specific to you District Councils:

Children and Social Work Act 2017 2

Local offer for care leavers

(1) A local authority in England must publish information about-

(b) other services which the local authority offers that may assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), services which may assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living include services relating to -

(a) health and well-being;

(b) relationships;

(c) education and training;

(d) employment;

(e) accommodation;

(f) participation in society.

(7) In this section -

"local authority in England" means -

(b) a district council;

Whilst it is vital that young people are aware of their entitlements, it is also important that local authorities are clear about how they will provide any support.

Legislation also recognises the need to review your local offer, and where you may not currently offer some of the things we have listed, or you may not have a local offer in place, now could be an opportunity to add/create a local offer.

I am a care leaver myself and I have got lots of experience with Local Offers and have worked with many councils across England, I am more than happy to schedule a Teams/Zoom call free of charge with you if you want any advice and guidance.

Response

Information not held

This area is dealt with by East Sussex County Council, please visit their website for further information:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk