Cheshire East Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Cheshire East Council has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
At Cheshire East Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
We held a joint event to develop the offer and reviewed it
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Sam Ankers
Email Address:
[email protected]
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Deborah Woodcock
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Cheshire East Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Cheshire East Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
PAs assist with this task
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 21
Banding priority is: B
Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats
Additional information:
We have a range of options like this.
Cheshire East Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
We support young people as guarantor where necessary
Cheshire East Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Out of setting up allowance.
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££2500
Cheshire East Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Cheshire East Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Cheshire East Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Cheshire East Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: It Varies
Cheshire East Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Cheshire East Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Cheshire East Council
There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Cheshire East Council
Participation in Society
Cheshire East Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Cheshire East Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with driving tests
Cheshire East Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Cheshire East Council 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 have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team
Additional details:
This can be arranged through My Voice
Children in care and care leavers council
Cheshire East Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
My Voice is run by our Participation team.
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: Yes
Free classes: Yes
Free leisure up to the age of: 25
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Their PA
Special Occasions
Cheshire East Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£100 for 18-21
Cheshire East Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£100 for 18-21
Relationships
Cheshire East Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)
Cheshire East Council has other mentoring schemes
Access to care files
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:
People are offered an initial meeting when they get their files, and can then request additional support moving forwards if they need it.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 358 | 391 | 428 | 476 | 485 | 534 | 518 | 522 | 580 |
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Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 70 | 59 | 52 | 36 | 34 | 38 | 43 | 51 | 67 | 450 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 50% | n/a | 48% | 23% | 39% | 47% | 46% |
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Political Control
Cheshire East Council is controlled by a Labour / Independent coalition
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 09 January 2020
Overall effectiveness: Requires Improvement
Experiences and progress of children in care: N/A
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Requires Improvement
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Requires Improvement
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch