Peterborough City Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 21 Years, based on assessment post 21 years

Banding priority is: Band A

Additional information / how to qualify:
YP will be supported with to register for housing and notify by the housing authority of their eligibility as a care leaver when banding will be applied.

Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
For more details on how to request that Peterborough City Council acts as your guarantor, speak to your Personal Advisor (PA) or the Leaving Care Service.

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
We may be able to support you with the deposit and first month’s rent for your first independent home. This is subject to an affordability assessment to make sure it's the right option for you.

Who is Eligible?
- Care leavers aged 17 to 25
- Moving into your first fully independent property

If you're moving into shared accommodation, our contribution will be proportionate to your share of the costs. There’s no set amount—support is based on your individual needs and circumstances.

To find out if you're eligible or to apply, speak to your Personal Adviser (PA) or contact the Leaving Care Service.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: ££3,000

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

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

Peterborough City Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

Peterborough City Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Peterborough City Council will not pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Peterborough City Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: N/A

Peterborough City Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Peterborough City Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Peterborough City Council

We currently have five apprenticeship roles filled by our young people. Work is ongoing to increase the number of opportunities across the council, as well as through partnerships with external organisations. apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Peterborough City Council

Additional information about work and training:
We have specially trained staff who offer 1:1 personalised advice and guidance to support you with all aspects of education, employment, and training (EET). Whether you’re exploring your options, building a CV, preparing for interviews, managing finances, aiming for higher education, or re-engaging with learning—we’re here to help.

You can get support with:
- Identifying the right EET pathway for you
- Writing a CV and preparing for interviews
- Understanding how different choices may affect your finances
- Accessing higher education or returning to learning
- Exploring long-term career goals and outcomes

We also offer a mentoring scheme, where you can be matched with a council professional to receive support and advice tailored to your goals and needs.

All care leavers have free access to Xello, an interactive platform that helps you:
- Discover your skills, strengths, and learning style
- Build a personalised digital portfolio
- Explore careers suited to you, including routes in, next steps, and earning potential

You can also access free virtual work experience through Springpod, helping you gain insight into different industries and careers.

To support your journey, we offer up to £750 in funding for training or courses (and related resources) that lead to an accredited qualification.

We can also help with the cost of driving lessons if it supports your goals. Driving can be a valuable step toward employment and independence. Speak with your Personal Adviser to include it in your Pathway Plan and apply.

Peterborough City Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Peterborough City Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Peterborough City Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Peterborough City 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

Peterborough City Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
We have a Children in Care Council & our Care Leaver Forum called Peterborough Care Leaders (PCL).

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

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

Peterborough City Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Peterborough City Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Our Mentoring Scheme is an opportunity to work with professionals from Peterborough City Council to gain valuable support and advice around anything you feel you might need to support or progress your education, employment or training. If it’s a talk over a coffee, or support around applying for a job, our mentoring scheme can give you the access to valuable information and support to fulfil your potential.

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:
A PA would support a young person to access their files and provide them emotional support when viewing these.