Issue - meetings

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which provided Cabinet with an overview of the quality of services offered to Wiltshire care leavers and areas where further improvements are required. In giving her presentation, Councillor Mayes highlighted: that the report drew upon findings from an audit completed in the Autumn of 2015 and a recent assessment of individual need; that taken together, this provides a firm foundation from which to analyse the quality of our offer to care leavers; that through the Children and Social Work Bill 2016, the Government has signalled a clear intention to require local authorities to improve services to care leavers; and that the report provides a brief overview of the Bill and begins to consider the impact for Wiltshire Council.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the age for which Council’s remained responsible for looked-after children was being extended to 25; how the council would be looking at innovative solutions to provide continuing support; the important responsibility for all Councillors as corporate parents; and the role of volunteers and third sector providers in providing support.

Resolved

That the contents of the report are noted and accepted.

Reason for decision:

Local authorities have duties under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 towards eligible and relevant and former relevant children.

The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 (the Leaving Care Act) came into effect on the 1 Oct 2001. The Act amends the previous provisions for care leavers in the Children Act 1989.The Act applies in England and Wales only.

The act aims to ensure that a Local Authority will provide help until a Young

Person reaches the age of 21 and in some cases 24.

The Leaving Care Act has two main aims:

·         To ensure that young people do not leave care until they are ready.

·         To ensure that they receive effective support once they have left.

The proposed Care Leavers’ Covenant will extend the responsibilities of the Council to all care leavers up until the age of 25 years.