Hammersmith and Fulham

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 25

Banding priority is: B

Additional information / how to qualify:
From Jan 21 our generous quota was amended and no all Care leavers who want to live in H and F, are able to do so and are able to demonstrate independent living skills are nominated for Social Housing in the borough. We also have a contract with Settle to provide Floating Support were assessed as needed

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

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
Our offer includes support from the AST matching team to identify landlord and property and the following as necessary:
A financial incentive to landlords;
The local authority acting as a guarantor;
Guaranteed support and key point of contact; and
Membership of an insurance scheme (for damage and rent guarantee)

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
We may offer financial assistance for you to pay your initial housing deposit and one months’ rent for affordable accommodation.
This offer will be available whilst you are still in receipt of the service and will be reflected in your pathway plan. You must demonstrate your ability to manage and pay rent for your chosen accommodation.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £2000

Hammersmith and Fulham will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers

Hammersmith and Fulham will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Hammersmith and Fulham will not pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Hammersmith and Fulham offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: As per demand

Hammersmith and Fulham will pay for work/interview clothes

Hammersmith and Fulham will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Hammersmith and Fulham

1 - 5 apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Hammersmith and Fulham

Additional information about work and training:
Care Leavers are guaranteed interview for all our Apprenticeships if they meet the entry requirements.

As part of our comprehensive Virtual School offer we provide targeted and intensive EET support for identified young people. We are developing a Pathway Coordinator role which will include oversight and advice re: all Care Leaver EET pathways and delivery of bespoke programmes. Work with internal and external partners include Beam, Workzone, Catch 22 Future Pathways to offer additional support and work preparation.

Hammersmith and Fulham will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with driving lessons

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with driving tests

Hammersmith and Fulham in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Hammersmith and Fulham 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

Additional details:
Model of Corporate Parenting Board – Children looked After and Care Leavers are part of the Board together with DCS, Op Directors and members. Formally meet 6 times a year to co-produce priorities and review plans. Senior leaders including DCS, Op Director and Heads of Service also attend Children in Care Council meetings. In addition observations and meetings take place as part of Practice Week four times a year and there are also informal consultations and catch ups with the Head of Service.

Hammersmith and Fulham has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
The forum will also provide an opportunity to undertake specific pieces of work in smaller groups and there are plans for pieces of work to be accredited through the work that has already taken place by the Children's Involvement Participation lead- [email protected].

Meet at least monthly with projects and activities running alongside. There are long term members between 10-25 years and other young people who attend specific sessions or projects. Therefore, the numbers vary.

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

Hammersmith and Fulham does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Hammersmith and Fulham has other mentoring schemes

Details:
We will support you to stablish, re-establish, and maintain friendships and relationships that are safe and in your best interests.
Your case worker will maintain regular contact with you and may be able to offer you additional practical and emotional support, such as:
Providing you with a mentor, advocate, or coach
Continuing to support contact with the ‘Independent Visitor’ you had while you were in care, where appropriate

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:
Social worker and/or independent advocacy