Thurrock Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 25

Banding priority is: Band B

Additional information / how to qualify:
Supported by their Personal Advisor – priority banding will be automa�cally applied for care leavers as part of the usual process for social housing applica�on

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
Semi-independent living and supported accommodation is provided by HSH team that manages housing provision for Thurrock care leavers.

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

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

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: ££3000

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

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

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

Thurrock Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

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

Thurrock Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Thurrock Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: Work Experience this year: 3; 1 of these is 22-24 years old

Thurrock Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Thurrock Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are no ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Thurrock Council

Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Thurrock Council

Number per year: 1

Additional information about work and training:
1.Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
Thurrock Inspire Careers offers careers information, advice and guidance to:
• every 13- to 19-year-old
• anyone with special educational needs up to the age of 25
• care experienced young people up to the age of 25
Appointments are available 09:30 to 17:00 Tuesday to Friday. Contact is also maintained by phone, text and email. Where face to face contact is needed and the young person is unable to attend the Hubs in Grays and Tilbury, home visits are possible.
2. VS EET Panel
This brings together the Virtual School, Inspire and Social Care, to facilitate sharing of ideas and joined-up working, to create an individualised support plan for each young person, which will then be reviewed and monitored.
3. UAS EET Panel
This Panel has recently been instituted and is chaired by Kevin Greenaway (Team Manager, Children Looked After) specifically to target UAS who are NEET or at risk of NEET.
4. CLA Reviews
A Children Looked After review (CLA review) is a statutory meeting that brings together the key people and professionals who are closely concerned with the care of the child or young person who is Looked After. It's an opportunity to review the child's care plan, discuss the child's progress and plan for the future. From age 16 this is captured in a Pathway Plan which facilitates the young person’s transition to adulthood. Where appropriate, Inspire PAs attend these meetings to provide Information, advice and guidance around education, employment and training opportunities.
5. PEP Meetings
Personal Educational Plan Meetings bring together the VS, school, social worker, young person and carers, to monitor academic progress and set goals. NEET PEP’s similarly support those young people who are not in education, training and employment. Where appropriate, Inspire PAs attend these meetings to provide Information, advice and guidance around education, employment and training opportunities, and to begin building a relationship with young person.
6. Post 18 EET Panel

Currently overseen by the manager of the Aftercare Team and the two Senior Practitioners (this management structure is changing), the Post 18 EET Panel mirrors that for young people who are Looked After. Panel meets weekly and is attended by Inspire and Aftercare workers. Aftercare workers present young people who are NEET, or at risk of being NEET, to plan SMART actions to engage the young person, and identify and work towards career goals.
7. On-Track
On-Track is a European Union Social Fund legacy funded project to provide tailored supported to 15–24-year-olds in Thurrock who are NEET. Participants receive CEIAG and mentoring, and access to a range of accredited courses (such as IT, Social Media, and Customer Service) including Functional Skills English and Maths up to Level 2, for those who need these basic skills to move forward, and training (such as CSCS Card to - work in construction - and Forklift Licence for warehousing). On-Track is available to eligible Looked After Children and Care Leavers who live outside Thurrock.
8. Make Happen
This is a fixed term project funded by the Office for Students' Uni Connect Programme. It aims to increase awareness and understanding around going to university and degree level apprenticeships, and raise aspirations, by delivering workshops to looked after young people and care leavers (14-18), and to their carers, and by providing 1:1 support to those applying to university. This includes information on the financial support offered to care leavers by Thurrock Council, on university and charity grants and bursaries (such as Unite Foundation, Rees and Sanctuary Scholarships) contextual offers, Access to HE and outreach programmes. 2 workshops will be delivered in July for care experienced young people (one live and one on-line). Similarly, there will be two workshops for foster carers and care providers (one at the foster carers forum and the other on-line).
9. Multiply
This is a new government funded programme aimed at enabling adults aged 19 and above to improve their numeracy and budgeting skills, opening opportunities in learning and employment, and supporting independent living skills. In Thurrock this is delivered through Inspire by Thurrock Adult Community College. The programme allows considerable flexibility to tailor individualised leaning programmes for care leavers.
10. Music Studio
The music studio at the Grays Inspire Hub has recently re-opened and provides a space to engage young people and allow then to develop their skills and confidence. An aim is that young people who already have skills and knowledge around music production will be able to train other young people to use the studio facilities

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

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Thurrock Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Thurrock Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Thurrock Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Thurrock Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Thurrock 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:
Regular opportuni�es provided for care leavers to meet with the senior management group through workshops/ lunches

Thurrock Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
7 of the members are care leavers. Most have a P.A through Thurrock.

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

Details:
Cons�tu�on of the Children in Care Council in Thurrock 2022
Preamble: We, the children in care of Thurrock, establish this cons�tu�on to form a representa�ve body known as the Children in Care Council (hereina�er referred to as "the Council"). We believe that every child in care deserves a voice and the right to par�cipate in decisions that affect their lives. This cons�tu�on sets out the principles, structure, and func�ons of the Council, which aims to empower children in care, promote their rights, and ensure their well-being.
Ar�cle 1: Name and Purpose 1.1 The Council shall be called the "Children in Care Council in Thurrock" (hereina�er referred to as "the Council"). 1.2 The purpose of the Council is to represent the collec�ve voice of children in care in Thurrock, advocate for their rights, and work collabora�vely with relevant authori�es to improve their care experiences.
Ar�cle 2: Membership 2.1 Membership of the Council is open to all children and young people who are currently in the care of Thurrock local authority, or have at one point been in care in Thurrock. 2.2 Membership shall be voluntary and open to children and young people aged 8 to 25 years. 2.3 The Council shall strive to ensure diversity and inclusivity by welcoming members from various backgrounds, including different ages, genders, ethnici�es, and care placements. Ar�cle 3: Structure and Governance 3.1 The Council shall be governed by a Steering Commi�ee elected from among the Council members. 3.2 The Steering Commi�ee shall consist of: a) Chairperson: responsible for leading Council mee�ngs and represen�ng the Council externally. b) Vice Chairperson: supports the Chairperson and assumes their du�es in their absence. c) Secretary: responsible for coordina�ng mee�ngs, maintaining records, and communica�on. d) Treasurer: responsible for managing any funds allocated to the Council. 3.3 The Steering Commi�ee members shall serve for a term of one year and may be re-elected for subsequent terms. 3.4 The Council shall hold monthly general mee�ngs to discuss issues, make decisions, and plan ac�vi�es. The frequency of these mee�ngs shall be determined by the Council members. 3.5 Decisions shall be made by consensus whenever possible. In the event of a vote, a simple majority shall prevail.

Ar�cle 4: Func�ons and Responsibili�es 4.1 The Council shall have the following func�ons and responsibili�es: a) Represent the views, concerns, and aspira�ons of children in care to relevant authori�es. b) Influence policies, prac�ces, and decision-making processes that affect children in care. c) Consult and engage with children in care to seek their opinions on ma�ers concerning their well-being and care experiences. d) Organize and par�cipate in events, ac�vi�es, and projects that promote the well-being of children in care. e) Collaborate with professionals, foster carers, and other relevant stakeholders to improve the care system. f) Provide support, advice, and mentoring to children in care, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience. g) Promote awareness and understanding of the rights and needs of children in care within the community. Ar�cle 5: Funding 5.1 The Council may seek funding from various sources, including the Thurrock local authority, grants, sponsorships, and dona�ons. 5.2 All funds received shall be managed by the Council's Treasurer and used solely for ac�vi�es and ini�a�ves that benefit children in care. Ar�cle 6: Amendments to the Cons�tu�on 6.1 This cons�tu�on may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at a Council mee�ng. 6.2 Proposed amendments must be communicated to the Council members at least two weeks prior to the mee�ng where the vote will take place.
Ar�cle 7: Dissolu�on 7.1 The Council may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote.

Thurrock Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Thurrock Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Open Door Mentoring and Coaching
Open Door offers a range of mentoring and coaching services to support a young person who may be experiencing difficul�es for a number of different reasons. We offer a goal focused approach which covers many issues such as nona�endance at school, social isola�on, anxiety and behavioural issues.
Mentoring and coaching also provides a role model approach and where appropriate we will always try to match a mentor to a mentee when requested.
We now are able to offer mentoring in three different areas:
 Mentoring and Coaching / Aged 8 – 18
The young person must have social care involvement
 Mentoring and Coaching / Post 18
The client must have an a�ercare worker
 Mentoring and Coaching / Aged 8-18
The young person is referred via the virtual school

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:
Support provided from the A�er Care Team/Personal Advisor.