Bracknell Forest Borough Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has published a Local Offer for Care Leavers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
At Bracknell Forest Borough Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Their views were sought at the time. Content of Offer currently being added too/improved by IT. Then we ask the Care Leavers for feedback and change as needed/advised.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Anna Freshwater
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01344 352020
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Ms Grainne Siggins
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Bracknell Forest Borough Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
For Care Leavers living within Borough this is applied by the Revenue Department after Leaving Care Service have advised who is a care leaver.
For Care Leavers outside the borough the Leaving Care Service will refund any monies they pay on Council Tax in the area they live if they produce proof of payment to the PA. When a young person closes to the service at 21 they are made aware this offer is open to them until the age of 25 and they send proof to the admin email account.
Housing
Care leavers do not receive priority for social housing
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will not in principle assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property
Setting up a home
Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance
We are unable to confirm the allowance amount
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Bracknell Forest Borough Council does not offer work experience within the council for care leavers
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Number per year: 1
Participation in Society
Bracknell Forest Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with driving tests
Bracknell Forest Borough Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Bracknell Forest Borough Council do not offer support with free travel for care leavers
Access to corporate parents
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
Children in care and care leavers council
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
We have a children in care council and this is currently being extended for inclusion of care leavers.
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: The free access to Leisure is provided by EveryOne Active who have a national scheme supporting care leavers.
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Applications are made by the PA .
Special Occasions
Bracknell Forest Borough Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Care Leavers will receive gifts at Christmas, if care leavers have been unable to buy gifts for their own families on occasions, we have supported with this. Our Unaccompanied Children are supported in respect to all their religious celebrations. Any support required by any of the care leavers is always considered.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£50 for 18th and 21st birthday
Relationships
Bracknell Forest Borough Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Bracknell Forest Borough Council does not have other mentoring schemes
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:
If we become aware that a Care Leaver has requested access to records, we will ask them if they require support before, during or after.
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 104 | 98 | 116 | 138 | 158 | 142 | 146 | 137 | 157 |
|---|
Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 149 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 26% | n/a | 38% | 33% | 43% | 46% | 50% |
|---|
Political Control
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is a Conservative controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 14 July 2017
Overall effectiveness: Good
Experiences and progress of children in care: N/A
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Outstanding
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Good
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch