Gateshead Borough Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 25

Banding priority is: 2

Additional information / how to qualify:
Care leavers are given priority banding for their first tenancy. They can qualify for subsequent tenancys in certain circumstances eg domestic abuse.

Care leavers from other Local Authorities can receive priority banding in Gateshead once assessed.

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
Care leavers can live in practice flats within a childrens home or staying close properties.
They can also access taster flats from the Housing company

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

Gateshead Borough Council will not in principle assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £2000

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

Gateshead Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

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

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

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

Gateshead Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

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

Number of places per year: 5

Gateshead Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Gateshead Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Gateshead Borough Council

Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Gateshead Borough Council

Number per year: 2

Additional information about work and training:
We currently have 2 young people working as apprentices
We offered guaranteed interviews to care leavers for 2 posts in July 2020

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

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Gateshead Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons

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

Gateshead Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving tests

Gateshead Borough Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Gateshead 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:
Mentoring was piloted with 1 young person and this is a scheme we would like to continue with.

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

Details of council:
Mini voice aged under 11
Approximately 12 young people
Meet 5 times a year

One voice age 11-17
Approximately 6 or 7 young people
Meet weekly

Care leavers over 18
Meet as required.

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

Children in care and care leavers council has its own constitution

Details:
No details provided.

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

Gateshead Borough Council does not have other mentoring schemes

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.