Redbridge

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 21

Banding priority is: 2

Additional information / how to qualify:
We have a links in Housing and a dedicated care leaver resource who helps with the registration, providing the documentation and supports them through the bidding process

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
We don’t have taster flats as such but we do have solo flats with support that provide them with the resources and environment to prepare to leave independently

Redbridge will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Redbridge in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
One month Rent and Deposit. Also, we pay our care leavers rent during term times in advance at university

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £2000

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

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

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

Redbridge in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Redbridge in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Redbridge will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Redbridge offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: Scheme was being developed for 2020 but was impacted by Covid and paused, This work will resurrect post Covid restrictions.

Redbridge will pay for work/interview clothes

Redbridge will pay towards travel to work or training

There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Redbridge

There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Redbridge

Additional information about work and training:
We have recently employed a Redbridge Care leaver to a full-time post.

Redbridge will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Redbridge in principle will assist with driving lessons

Redbridge in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Redbridge in principle will assist with driving tests

Redbridge in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Redbridge 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:
Bespoke arrangements have been put in place for care leavers to shadow senior colleagues in the council

Redbridge has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
Regular attendance during the pandemic has been around 20-25 Looked after and care leavers ranging from 10 -25

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

Redbridge does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Redbridge has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Barnardos meeting scheme and other local provision if appropriate

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:
Support would be available in the first instance through their Personal Advisor