Slough Borough Council has made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
Slough 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 Ofsted Children's Services Inspection Download Children's Services Focused Visit Download Ofsted Children's Services Inspection
as an app: Yes - No information given.
At Slough Borough Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
Local Offer currently under review and consultation has taken place with the Space2Talk care leavers group
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
George Riley
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01753 690711
The Director responsible for Children's Services is:
Name:
Sue Butcher
Email Address:
[email protected]
Council Tax
Slough Borough Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 25
Slough Borough Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
PA will take responsibility to inform Council Tax section of exemption
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 21
Banding priority is: B
Additional information / how to qualify:
Care Leavers will qualify if Former Relevant
Care Leaver applies to Slough Borough Council Housing Register
PA provides pre tenancy assessment to confirm status of care leaver and readiness for independent living
Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
Slough Borough Council in principle will 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
Allowance amount: £2000
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
Slough Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
Slough Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
Slough Borough Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: 1
Slough Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes
Slough Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Slough Borough Council
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Slough Borough Council
We are unable to confirm the number per year
Additional information about work and training:
The Slough Virtual School have a dedicated 16+ team who will work with care leavers up to 21 who need support around employment education or training
Participation in Society
Slough Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
Slough Borough Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
Slough Borough Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
Slough Borough Council in principle will assist with driving tests
Slough Borough Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to Slough 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
Slough Borough Council has a children in care and care leavers council
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:
Care Leavers should contact their allocated PA or Duty Personal Advisor 01753 476729
Special Occasions
Slough Borough Council pays towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
£50 Festival Allowance per year
Slough Borough Council pays towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Details:
Birthday allowance
Age 18- £100
Age 19 - £50
Age 20 - £50
Age 21 - £100
Relationships
Slough Borough Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)
Slough 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:
Allocated PA will support if requested by young person
Facts and Figures
Number of looked after children since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 196 | 179 | 190 | 206 | 212 | 195 | 222 | 234 | 253 |
|---|
Number of care leavers by age, year ending 31st March 2021
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Total | 38 | 47 | 48 | 38 | 35 | 38 | 50 | 33 | 29 | 356 |
|---|
Percentage of care leavers going onto NEET since 2014
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 24% | n/a | 47% | 45% | 32% | 28% | 36% |
|---|
Political Control
Slough Borough Council is a Labour controlled council
Ofsted Ratings
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Overall effectiveness: Requires Improvement
Experiences and progress of children in care: Requires Improvement
Experiences and progress of care leavers: Requires Improvement
Impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Inadequate
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch