Rotherham Borough Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Rotherham Borough 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 Financial Policy Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's Services Focused Visit Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection
as an app: No
At Rotherham Borough Council care leavers do not co-produce the local offer.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Rotherham Leaving Care
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01709 822673
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Suzanne Joyner
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Rotherham Borough Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 21
Rotherham Borough Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Rotherham MBC has offered full council tax discount to its care leavers aged 18 to 21 where they are the named tenant for a property and where they have eligibility.
In these instances it is important for you and your PA to fill out an application form for the discount before you move into your tenancy.
It is also important you let the council tax team know if you are moving and the address you are moving to.
RMBC is supporting all its young people in this manner even if you do not live in the borough.
You, with your personal advisor need to make sure you fill out and sign the application so our council tax team can work with the borough in which you live to make sure your discount is applied.
Housing
Care leavers do not receive priority for social housing
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Rotherham Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Rotherham Borough 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
Rotherham Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Rotherham Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Rotherham Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Rotherham Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Rotherham Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Rotherham Borough Council will not pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Rotherham Borough Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
We are unable to confirm how many places per year
Rotherham Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Rotherham Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Rotherham Borough Council
There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Rotherham Borough Council
Additional information about work and training:
The Council has a work experience offer that if you don’t know or are unsure what you want to do or have an idea we might be able to find you up to 4 weeks work experience in the council to see if it is an area you would want to pursue. This 4 weeks or 28 days can be split up and can be completed at a pace that’s right for you. This can also help you understand some of the rules and expectations about being at work.
Participation in Society
Rotherham Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: No
Rotherham Borough Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Rotherham Borough Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Rotherham Borough Council in principle will assist with driving tests
Rotherham Borough Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Rotherham Borough Council do not offer support with free travel for care leavers
Access to corporate parents
Care leavers do not 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
Rotherham Borough Council does not have a children in care and care leavers council
Health and Wellbeing
Care leavers do not get free access to leisure facilities as part of the Local Offer
Special Occasions
Rotherham Borough Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Up to total value £50.00
Clothing £100 summer and £100 winter 18-21
Rotherham Borough Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£100 (18th & 21st), £50 (19th and 20th)
Relationships
Rotherham Borough Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Rotherham Borough Council has other mentoring schemes
Details:
In addition to this we also have Mentors within the council who can be a listening ear for you to help you learn what you like doing. A mentor is someone who can listen and ask you questions about your future. A mentor is someone who isn’t a social worker or a personal advisor. They are impartial, experienced and have been very successful in their chosen careers. If you would like a mentor let us know.
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 do not get emotional support before, during and after disclosure
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 407 | 431 | 487 | 620 | 642 | 595 | 595 | 557 | 542 |
|---|
Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 52 | 64 | 58 | 43 | 64 | 53 | 52 | 40 | 35 | 461 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 34% | 56% | 48% | 48% | 45% | 54% |
|---|
Political Control
Rotherham Borough Council is a Labour controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 12 August 2022
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