Shropshire Council has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Shropshire Council has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
At Shropshire Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Yes, a group of care leavers helped develop the local offer and are involve with the review of the local offer.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Tracie Watson
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01743250020
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Sonya Miller
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Shropshire Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Shropshire Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
inform their PA who will contact the revs and benefits team
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 21
Banding priority is: Gold
Additional information / how to qualify:
In Shropshire only those that present as homeless get Priority.
Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats
Additional information:
We have one training flat. Young people can stay mon-fri and support is provided.
Shropshire Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Only those accessing university accommodation.
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Yes we pay deposit and first month’s rent in advance.
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££3000
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Shropshire Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Shropshire Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Shropshire Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Shropshire Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: 10
Shropshire Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Shropshire Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Shropshire Council
10 apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Shropshire Council
Number per year: 3 currently
Participation in Society
Shropshire Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Shropshire Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Shropshire Council will not in principle assist with driving tests
Shropshire Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Shropshire 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
Additional details:
Not currently but we are looking into this.
Children in care and care leavers council
Shropshire Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
We have a CICC council up to age 18 and then a care leavers forum for 18+
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: 25
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
They should contact their PA. 0174325000
Special Occasions
Shropshire Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£75 plus a gift.
Shropshire Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£50 but £75 for 18th and 21st
Relationships
Shropshire Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Shropshire Council does not have other mentoring schemes
Details:
We have a care leaver ambassador who acts as a mentor.
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 get emotional support before, during and after disclosure
Details:
Support if they request this.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 310 | 284 | 292 | 338 | 395 | 399 | 504 | 609 | 656 |
|---|
Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 51 | 45 | 30 | 43 | 51 | 32 | 33 | 44 | 40 | 369 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 42% | n/a | 37% | 37% | 44% | 49% | 40% |
|---|
Political Control
Shropshire Council is a Conservative controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 25 March 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