Torbay Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Torbay Council has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
At Torbay Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
The Local Offer has been informed by the views of care experienced young people gathered through the My Voice group, focus sessions, one to one sessions with Participation Offers and the results of the Bright Spots Your Life After Care survey.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Caroline Palmer
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01803 208 100
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Nancy Meehan
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Torbay Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 21
Torbay Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Apply for exemption with the support of their Personal Advisor.
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 25
Banding priority is: Band B
Additional information / how to qualify:
This is tracked and monitored through the Youth Homelessness Panel and there is no need for an application process for a young person.
Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats
Additional information:
We have ‘taster flats’ in Torbay with Young Devon, a charity that is commissioned to provide this type of accommodation. We also have access to supported lodgings, (also via Young Devon) who provide a good introduction to developing and honing independence skills
Torbay Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Torbay Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Torbay pays the first month’s rent and deposit for all care leavers in their first private rented property, and for social housing.
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££3000
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Torbay Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Torbay Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Torbay Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: This only began in 2023 and therefore there is no data in regard to this available at this time.
Torbay Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Torbay Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Torbay Council
There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Torbay Council
Additional information about work and training:
3 have secured full-time employment via apprenticeships running to Summer 2020.
Participation in Society
Torbay Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests
Torbay Council will not in principle assist with driving tests
Torbay Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Torbay Council offer support with free travel for care leavers
Bus: Unknown
Train / Tram: Unknown
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:
This is arranged through the Corporate Parenting Board and Strand Leads.
Children in care and care leavers council
Torbay Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
Our councils are in the process of being relaunched as such the current membership is under review. Contact details for the Councils are Sophie de Sousa on 01801 208 100.
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
Details:
We have Terms of Reference and a Pledge (to be authorised by Councillors in the very near future) and will consider a constitution as we progress this agenda.
Health and Wellbeing
Care leavers get free access to leisure facilities as part of the Local Offer
Free gym membership: No
Free swimming: No
Free classes: No
Free leisure up to the age of: 25
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Have a Personal Advisor or request this. We fund up to £500 pa for social and leisure pursuits, gym membership and classes are included in this.
Special Occasions
Torbay Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Care experienced young people may receive a £30 yearly festive grant to celebrate one significant religious or cultural event if they are in touch.
Torbay Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£30 gift voucher on 16th and 17th birthday, a £100 gift voucher on 18th birthday and a £30 gift voucher on 19th, 20th and 21st birthday if in touch.
Relationships
Torbay Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)
Torbay Council does not have other mentoring schemes
Details:
Not at this time, but this is something we are interested in and working on.
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:
This is individualised based on the needs and circumstances of the young person.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 306 | 279 | 289 | 328 | 361 | 354 | 319 | 299 | 314 |
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Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 36 | 38 | 43 | 22 | 38 | 25 | 35 | 32 | 41 | 310 |
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Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 39% | n/a | 53% | 50% | 43% | 43% | 46% |
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Political Control
Torbay Council is controlled by a Liberal Democrats / Independent coalition
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 18 May 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