Northumberland County Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Northumberland County 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
as an app: No
At Northumberland County Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Our Voice Making Choices group and care leavers group were involved in giving their views around the local offer and the information they wanted to be included in the offer.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Northumberland Adolescent Services – Duty Manager
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01670 536400
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Mr Graham Reiter
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Northumberland County Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: Up to the age of 21 – for those aged 21-25 applications can be submitted but this is discretionary. work is on-going within the regional care leavers board to consider uplifting this to 25 automatically
Northumberland County Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Care leavers need to complete an application form to apply for the exemption – this is completed with support from their leaving care support worker
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: Up to 21 but for those older, it cases are discussed on a case by case basis
Banding priority is: Band P - Priority banding - highest banding available
Additional information / how to qualify:
Care leavers are supported by the leaving care support workers to apply to Northumbetland Homefinder and a letter of support is submitted with their application to seek the priority banding
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Applications can be made to Revenue and Benefits for a Discretionary Housing Payment to support with a deposit or rent in advance depending on the needs of the young person.
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££3000
Northumberland County Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Northumberland County Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Northumberland County Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Northumberland County Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Northumberland County Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: No specific number or times of year that this is offered
Northumberland County Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Northumberland County Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Northumberland County Council
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Northumberland County Council
Number per year: There is not set amount and varies from year to year. We currently have 1 care leaver in an apprenticeship.
Additional information about work and training:
Monthly employment. Education and training clinics are held with professionals from the DWP, education and other partners to try and promote opportunities for care leavers
Participation in Society
Northumberland County Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Northumberland County Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with driving tests
Northumberland County Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Northumberland County Council offer support with free travel for care leavers
Bus: Yes
Train / Tram: No
Additional details:
Arriva have given discounted bus passes which we have purchased 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:
N/A
Children in care and care leavers council
Northumberland County Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
Total of 10 young people involved regularly.
11-12 = 6
16-17 = 1
18-19 = 3
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: No
Free swimming: Yes
Free classes: No
Free leisure up to the age of: 25
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Access to Active Northumberland cards are supported by their leaving care support worker and can also be accessed via Active Northumberland’s website
https://www.activenorthumberland.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2fj8hcP0_wIVVsDtCh3W-wfREAAYASAAEgLd6PD_BwE
Email https://www.activenorthumberland.org.uk/contact
Phone 01670 62020
Special Occasions
Northumberland County Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Care leavers receive a christmas present and food hamper – for those who observe other religious festivals such as Eid, they will be supported with a present to mark this celebration
Northumberland County Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£25 per birthday up to 21 years of age. £50 can be requested on either their 18th or 21st birthday.
Relationships
Northumberland County Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Northumberland County Council does not have 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:
young people are supported by the Leaving Care Support worker throughout this process
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 363 | 386 | 406 | 386 | 370 | 434 | 436 | 425 | 450 |
|---|
Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 35 | 29 | 27 | 34 | 24 | 43 | 18 | 38 | 30 | 278 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 52% | n/a | 44% | 37% | 48% | 48% | 47% |
|---|
Political Control
Northumberland County Council is a Conservative controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 02 March 2020
Overall effectiveness: Good
Experiences and progress of children in care: N/A
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Good
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Good
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch