Stockport Borough Council has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Stockport Borough Council has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
The Local Offer is available:
on the web: Yes - view Local Offer here
as a document: Download Leaving Care Information Leaflet Download Team Around Care Leaflet Download Care Leavers Post 25 Offer Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's services focused visit
as an app: Yes - Bee Connected
At Stockport Borough Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Our care leavers were involved in the initial local offer on our website, writing the text, choosing the pictures etc. We have been waiting for a new role of care leaver apprentice within the council who will take over responsibility for updating and co-producing the reviews of the local offer, we are hoping they will be starting in the next couple of months
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Karen Bazell
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01614756790
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Chris McLoughlin OBE
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Stockport Borough Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Stockport Borough Council includes care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Contact the council tax department, and problems email [email protected] or ring 01614756790
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 21 and on individual basis after that
Banding priority is: They can get a “withheld” offer in an area of their choice or get extra points for bidding
Additional information / how to qualify:
Contact our liaison housing officer from Stockport Homes, Louise Finney: [email protected]
Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats
Additional information:
We have had taster flats in the past, and this year we have a new block of 7 starter flats opening up. This is part of a supported accommodation scheme with 24/7 outreach support
Stockport Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Details:
Assessed on an individual basis
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
Allowance amount: ££2,000 plus a starter package from our local assistance scheme which is worth £1000
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Stockport Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Stockport Borough Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: Dependant on Need
Stockport Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Stockport Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Stockport Borough Council
We are unable to confirm how many are ringfenced a year
There are no care leavers working as apprenticeships within Stockport Borough Council
Additional information about work and training:
Currently Working on Apprenticeships
Participation in Society
Stockport Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with driving tests
Stockport Borough Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Stockport Borough Council offer support with free travel for care leavers
Bus: Yes
Train / Tram: No
Additional details:
GM “Our Pass” provided to care leavers up to the age of 21 years for free bus travel in the GM area. Princes Trust provide free travel for care leavers aged 21-25 to support with EET
Access to corporate parents
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:
All our senior leadership team including the CEO are care leaver champions in Stockport. The care leavers forum meets with councilors in our business meeting every 6 weeks.
Children in care and care leavers council
Stockport Borough Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
This is run by Natalie Hirst from Pure Insight, and supported by Trudi Dunn from the Leaving Care Team.
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 can take a friend for free
Details to apply:
[email protected]
Special Occasions
Stockport Borough Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
We provide a Personal Budget for Relevant and Former Relevant care leavers up to the age of 21 years of £315 per year, this is for Christmas, Festival, birthday, holidays, clothing and any other costs that the yp may choose to use it on in discussion with their PA
Stockport Borough Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
We provide a Personal Budget for Relevant and Former Relevant care leavers up to the age of 21 years of £315 per year, this is for Christmas, Festival, birthday, holidays, clothing and any other costs that the yp may choose to use it on in discussion with their PA
Relationships
Stockport Borough Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)
Stockport Borough Council has other mentoring schemes
Details:
Volunteer mentor scheme run by Pure Insight
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:
We encourage YP to access the support from the service to ensure they have the emotional support they need
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 291 | 293 | 330 | 362 | 361 | 368 | 409 | 447 | 481 |
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Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 37 | 46 | 43 | 55 | 28 | 44 | 66 | 43 | 56 | 418 |
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Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 45% | n/a | 41% | 26% | 43% | 36% | 39% |
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Political Control
Stockport Borough Council is a Liberal Democrats controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 18 May 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