Surrey County Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 21

Banding priority is: This is different across the 11 boroughs and districts, but care leavers are giving priority above non-care leavers of the same age.

Additional information / how to qualify:
Care leavers must present to their local housing authority for assessment and will be supported by PAs with support letters to confirm their leaving care status.

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

Surrey County Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
National Guarantor scheme.

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
The local borough council deposit bond is explored first, Accommodation must be suitable and within housing benefit levels. Landlord/agent to place the deposit in Government Rent Deposit Scheme’ Max of 4 weeks rent costs up to £1000 and property must be within Local Housing Benefit Allowance rates.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £3000

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

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Surrey County Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Surrey County Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: e do not track the number; however, we offer various apprenticeship schemes through both Children’s Services and other directorates of the local authority.

Surrey County Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Surrey County Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Surrey County Council

3 apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Surrey County Council

Number per year: Three care leaver apprentices join the local authority every two years (the apprenticeship is a two-year rolling programme).

Additional information about work and training:
Link to national apprenticeship website through Local Offer. Care Leaver Covenant.

Surrey County Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Surrey County Council in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Surrey County 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 do not have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team

Additional details:
Although care leavers do not have the opportunity to be mentored by senior leaders, this is an area being explored within the Care Leavers covenant.

Surrey County Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
Care Council – participation group for 13-17 year olds.
Care Leavers Forum – participation group for 18-25 year olds. [email protected] https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/youth-voice

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

Surrey County Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)

Surrey County Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Grandmentors, Independence Visitors (if involved prior to 18).

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:
If required, they may access support from the User Voice & Participation team and/or their PA