Agenda item

To receive a presentation from some young people and the Care Leavers Team Managers.

Through Care Team Managers Kerry Nichol and Rhys Davies gave a presentation about the Care Leavers Annual Report, they were assisted by Mark Marshall.

It was explained that 100% of 17 year olds now have PA who work with young people aged 17 to 25. A Pilot scheme had expanded the role of outreach workers so they were working as PAs and had training on pathway planning. PAs previously handed over to the leaving care team a month before someone is 18.

With regard to homelessness, 6% were had been in unsuitable accommodation including those in custody which the Care Leavers team had little direct control over. The use of B&B accommodation was scrutinised and it had occurred a couple of times in the past year due to someone being in a desperate situation. Accommodation resource during Covid was stretched more than normal but the County Council worked with District Councils and two specialist PAs had been appointed. The Joint protocol would shortly be revised.

At Christmas 2019 the Care Leavers Team had organised ice skating and a meal but that was obviously not possible in 2020, however young people in independent or semi-independent accommodation were given £25 extra for 12 weeks. The money had been well received with some spending it on treats but some using it to feel more secure and enable them to pay bills more easily. A Christmas newsletter had been circulated and a crisis card produced which gave details of where to go for help and advice. Events which could be done remotely such as gingerbread decorating and crafts were organised to help people feel connected. There was also a tombola which every care leaver was entered for. A virtual party was held with takeaway vouchers distributed and on Christmas day meals were supplied for 27 care leavers who were spending the day by themselves.

PAs kept in touch with young people using Covid safe ways of working, some using technology but with PPE available for PAs to carry out visits where appropriate. Each young person was RAG rated to assess whether they needed face to face visits and that status was updated when necessary. The numbers of up to date Pathway Plans had dipped due to Covid but numbers were now increasing. The Team were in touch with 95% of care leavers.

Mark Marshall informed the Board of what life was like for care leavers at the present time and how he was coping with the restrictions due to Covid. He was currently at Aberystwyth University in his 3^rd year of History degree with all lectures being done digitally. He was also a student Union Officer for Care leavers and Young Carers. He explained that it was a challenge to research while at home but he was trying to stay healthy, he found routines helpful as well as setting goals and having new things to do. He appreciated that due to support from the care leavers service he did not have the stress of finding a part time job to pay for his accommodation, which would be particularly difficult at the present time. He had zoom calls with his PA Cassandra which meant they were able see each other. He understood that it would be challenging for people living alone as everyone needed personal connections. He recognised that it was challenging for young people to find work due to lack of experience and sometimes lack of education with only 4% of Care leavers attending university. He felt that the Care  leavers service would need to help care leavers with their CVs, helping them to become part of a community and perhaps help with volunteering opportunities. The impact of Covid would be felt for years to come.

Board Members contributed comments and questions and it was clarified that:

·       There was now more co-ordination with housing officers so PAs were able to get leaving care grants in place and know when housing would be available

·       There were increasing numbers of apprenticeships at the Council but it appeared that not many care leavers had been taken on. It was acknowledged that although information about the opportunities were available more work was needed to allow care leavers to start slowly, perhaps with taster days or meeting employers informally to give them the confidence to apply and to ‘get them through the first day’. It was confirmed that apprenticeships were a priority for WCF management

·       Work would take place with the virtual school for improved access to post 16 education and training.

·       Board Members believed anyone going through care system and onto university was impressive after all the trials and inconvenience they would have experienced.

·       The County Councillors wondered if care leavers knew who their County Councillors were, how to get hold of them and what they could do to help. It was suggested that some information could be put in the newsletter. Mark agreed that a bit of light political education would be good as lots of people would not know that Councillors help direct Children’s Services.

·       It was mentioned that each year Keep in Touch visits were organised to enable Corporate Parenting Board members to spend time with a care leaver in various activities. This would go ahead again this year and could be expanded so young people have a day with a County Councillor and they could then pass on the information about what they learnt.

·       There were concerns about the reports that some care leavers were not well prepared for independent living so the extended time that PAs were available was seen as an improvement. It was clarified that things had improved over the last couple of years and it was recognised that the reality of living independently was different to the theory. It was now part of the strategy for 17 year olds to live in very supported semi-independent living arrangements with wrap around support. A lot of supported accommodation was shared which also allowed for more support.