Bedford Borough Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 18 years and above.

Banding priority is: Currently B and B but we work very closely with Housing colleagues and they are also prioritising care leavers and offering them a tenancy under Exceptional Circumstances – Band E – Direct lets instead of Choice Based letting. This is resulting in care le

Additional information / how to qualify:
Applications are made for all those eligible for social housing at 17 years and 6 months and we meet with Housing colleagues to review applications and ensure priority for those who require it on a monthly basis. We now have a housing register/spreadsheet we review at a panel attended by Housing, PA’s, TM, HOS to ensure applications are progressing.

Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Bedford Borough Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
Request goes to our Resource panel and deposit is paid direct to landlord via LAAC Team.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: ££2000 and further £500 for rent deposit and if over this amount we go to resource panel to request remainder of deposit.

Bedford Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers

Bedford Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

Bedford Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Bedford Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Bedford Borough Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: No set number – needs lead.

Bedford Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Bedford Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Bedford Borough Council

We are unable to confirm how many are ringfenced a year

Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Bedford Borough Council

We are unable to confirm the number per year

Additional information about work and training:
We have a NEET panel which is multi agency and includes local providers, DWP, providers who offer training/apprenticeships/internships, Virtual School; 16 Plus Team. YP can attend this to hear what is on offer and further meetings are then booked with relevant provider to take forward their plans in terms of careers/training.
Any additional funding which maybe needed to support in this area can be presented to our resource panel.

Bedford Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving tests

Bedford Borough Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Bedford Borough Council do not offer support with free travel for care leavers

Care leavers have the opportunity to meet with their corporate parents (councillors)

Care leavers have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team

Additional details:
We have re launched a mentoring scheme which has mentors from various different departments and at various levels of seniority from within the council. Senior leaders are also available to meet with care leavers at various events and forums throughout the year.

Bedford Borough Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
The Engagement and Development Team support young people to have their say through a variety of groups, projects, forums and activities in the school holidays.

The Children in Care Council was absorbed into a wider group for all children and young people known to and open to social care; with cohort specific engagement taking place within this i.e. specific projects and discussions for looked after children / those on a child protection plan and so on.

These groups meet once a month for ages 8-12 (junior) and 13-16 (senior).

For care leavers 17+ we facilitate a monthly forum, meeting at a local café.

We also run a range of age and cohort specific activities in the school holidays as a chance to build new relationships, get involved in new opportunities and engage in decision making.

Children in care and care leavers council does not have its own bank account

Children in care and care leavers council does not have its own constitution

Bedford Borough Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Bedford Borough Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Mentoring Scheme within the Borough and mentors are from various different service areas including councilors.

Young people do not have to go through the complaints dept to access their care files

Young people who access their care files get emotional support before, during and after disclosure

Details:
They are offered support from their SW/PA and can also be referred to a local resource for emotional support – can self refer or be referred by their worker. We encourage care leavers to go through files with a worker or another person who can support them.