Brent has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Brent has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
The Local Offer is available:
on the web: Yes - view Local Offer here
as a document: Download Care Leavers Charter Download Local Offer Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's Services Focused Visit Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection
as an app: No
At Brent care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Over 1/3 of care leavers contributed to production of the offer which also had input from senior leaders in the council representing different service areas.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Onder Beter
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
020 8937 1228
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Gail Tolley
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Brent has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Brent does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
No details provided
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 18
Banding priority is: Band B
Additional information / how to qualify:
To qualify they need to be a FR & demonstrate that they are ready for Independent Living
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Brent will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Brent will not in principle assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: £2000
Brent will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Brent will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Brent will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Brent will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Brent will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Brent will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Brent offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: Varies
Brent will pay for work/interview clothes
Brent will pay towards travel to work or training
There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Brent
10 apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Brent
Number per year: 1
Participation in Society
Brent will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Brent will not in principle assist with driving lessons
Brent will not in principle assist with driving theory tests
Brent will not in principle assist with driving tests
Brent in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Brent do not offer support with free travel for care leavers
Access to corporate parents
Care leavers have the opportunity to meet with their corporate parents (councillors)
Care leavers do not have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team
Additional details:
No details provided
Children in care and care leavers council
Brent has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
No details provided
Children in care and care leavers council has its own bank account
Children in care and care leavers council does not have its own constitution
Health and Wellbeing
Care leavers get free access to leisure facilities as part of the Local Offer
Free gym membership: Yes
Free swimming: No
Free classes: No
Free leisure up to the age of: 21
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
No details provided.
Special Occasions
Brent pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
No details provided
Brent pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
No details provided
Relationships
Brent does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Brent has other mentoring schemes
Details:
Community based scheme or specific scheme to support care leavers
Access to care files
Young people 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:
No details provided
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2015
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 289 | 341 | 319 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers (aged 19 to 21) going onto NEET
| 2026 | TBC |
|---|
Political Control
Brent is a Labour controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Overall effectiveness: Good
Experiences and progress of children in care: Good
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Good
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Good
Last updated on: 3 July 2025
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch