Knowsley Council has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Knowsley Council 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 Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's Services Focussed Visit Download Children's services focused visit
as an app: No
At Knowsley Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Racheal Burke
Email Address:
[email protected]
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Julie Moss
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Knowsley Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 24
Knowsley Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Speak to personal advisor
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 21
Banding priority is: B
Additional information / how to qualify:
Support from Personal advisor.
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Knowsley Council 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
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Knowsley Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Knowsley Council will not pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Knowsley Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: 8
Knowsley Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Knowsley Council will not pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Knowsley Council
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Knowsley Council
We are unable to confirm the number per year
Participation in Society
Knowsley Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: No
Birth Certificate: Yes
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with driving tests
Knowsley Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Knowsley 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 do not have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team
Children in care and care leavers council
Knowsley Council has a children in care and care leavers council
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
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: 24
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
They would contact their Personal Advisor
Special Occasions
Knowsley Council does not pay towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Knowsley Council does not pay towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Relationships
We are unable to confirm whether Knowsley Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)
We are unable to confirm whether Knowsley Council has other mentoring schemes
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:
If receiving support from care leavers team they are supported with this.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 313 | 298 | 328 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers (aged 19 to 21) going onto NEET
| 2026 | TBC |
|---|
Political Control
Knowsley Council is a Labour controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 03 December 2021
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
Last updated on: 27 February 2024
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch