Kirklees
Kirklees has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Kirklees 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 Local Offer Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's Services Focused Visit
as an app: No
At Kirklees care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Our care leavers had input into the offer via consultation with The “Care Leavers Forum”.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
01484 221000 then ask for Care leavers service or call direct number to Care leavers service business support and duty, then access managers if needed on : 01484 225511.
Email Address:
[email protected]
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Tom Brailsford
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Kirklees has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Kirklees does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
If not currently in receipt please contact the care leavers service.
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: Up to 25 for their first own tenancy
Banding priority is: A
Additional information / how to qualify:
Our care leavers qualify for the banding in respect of their first home i.e. move to independence. Further offers linked with their Leaving care status are dependent on assessment of need and situation.
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Kirklees will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Kirklees in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
According to assessed need.
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££3000 Currently
Kirklees in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Kirklees will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Kirklees will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Kirklees in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Kirklees in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Kirklees will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Kirklees offers work experience within the council for care leavers
We are unable to confirm how many places per year
Kirklees will pay for work/interview clothes
Kirklees will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Kirklees
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Kirklees
We are unable to confirm the number per year
Participation in Society
Kirklees will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Kirklees in principle will assist with driving lessons
Kirklees in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Kirklees in principle will assist with driving tests
Kirklees in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Kirklees 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
Children in care and care leavers council
Kirklees has a children in care and care leavers council
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: 21
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Via their personal advisor
Special Occasions
Kirklees pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
There is also a once a year celebration payment for Christmas or an alternative celebration event.
Kirklees pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Currently we offer £150 for an 18th birthday. Then £25 for 19th and 20th birthdays and £50 for 21st
.
All of the above however has been reviewed in the recent review of the “financial support offer” -publication due shortly.
Relationships
Kirklees does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Kirklees has other mentoring schemes
Details:
We have a mentoring offer for apprentices within Kirklees.
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:
This support offer comes from the leaving care service and is usually provided by a young persons own PA, who is usually the best person to offer this support, given their relationship.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2015
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 661 | 604 | 592 |
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Percentage of care leavers (aged 19 to 21) going onto NEET
| 2026 | TBC |
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Political Control
Kirklees is controlled by a coalition
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 19 July 2024
Overall effectiveness: Good
Experiences and progress of children in care: Good
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Requires Improvement
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Good
Last updated on: 13 January 2026
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch
Compare Organisations
| Name | Overall Ofsted effectiveness | Priority for Social Housing | Offers Work Experience | Council Tax Exemption | Free Access to Leisure | Remove from Comparisons |
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