Leeds City Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 25 (and sometimes over if there’s a strong case for support)

Banding priority is: Band A, backdated to their 16th birthday

Additional information / how to qualify:
There are no criteria other than being a care leaver and haven’t already had priority status for social housing. Care Leavers are supported to bid regularly with support from their PA’s (if not currently working with a PA they are able to access support from the team to support bidding).

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
We have a contract with an organisation called Our Way Leeds (OWLs) who provide accommodation and support to all 16-25 year olds. ‘Taster flats’ are part of this contract.

Leeds City Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
Current Guarantor support is on case by case assessed basis and we are currently developing a more consistent policy.

Leeds City Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
Housing Options. £600 first month rent and £600 bond.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: ££2212.50

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

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

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

Leeds City Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Leeds City Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Leeds City Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Leeds City Council does not offer work experience within the council for care leavers

Leeds City Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Leeds City Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Leeds City Council

There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Leeds City Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Leeds City Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Leeds City Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Leeds City Council in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Leeds City 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 have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team

Additional details:
Care Leavers council meet with the HoS on a bi-monthly basis and members of the Care Leavers Council sit on our bi monthly Corporate Parenting Board. Direct mentoring from leaders has been requested and offered on an add hock basis.

Leeds City Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
There has been a reduction during the pandemic and a move to more one to one engagement (though small groups still meet via Zoom etc.)

 [email protected]

Children in care and care leavers council does not have its own bank account

Children in care and care leavers council has its own constitution

Leeds City Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Leeds City Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Our partners in ‘Child Friendly Leeds’ provide mentorship from business leaders to those in university. We also work with other organisations including Princes Trust who offer mentorship schemes.

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:
Personal Advisors would support Care Leavers access and read through files and offer this support.