Powys County Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 21

Banding priority is: Care leavers are initially given Band 3 status, but we are working with the housing team so that where there are any safeguarding concerns, they are given Band 1 status.

Additional information / how to qualify:
The team work closely with the housing team. The housing team are aware of the care leavers and their priority status.

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
There is a 1 bedroom flat that care leavers can use for a period of up to 2 weeks at a time to have a taster of independent living.

Powys County Council in principle will assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
The team have often acted as a guarantor to support young people in obtaining tenancies.

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

Details:
The team give consideration to supporting young people with a deposit to secure a tenancy on a case by case basis.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £2000

Powys County Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers

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

Powys County Council will not in principle assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

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

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

Powys County Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Powys County Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: This varies between 1-3.

Powys County Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Powys County Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Powys County Council

This varies between 1-3. apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within Powys County Council

Number per year: 2

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

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Powys County Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Powys County Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests

Powys County Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Powys County Council in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Powys County 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 do not have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team

Powys County Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
This has been challenging during COVID. The most recent ‘virtual’ forum had 7 care leavers present.

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

Powys County Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Powys County Council does not have other mentoring 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:
All young people can access their files by either making a subject access request or asking for a supported disclosure. Young people will be supported in doing so if needed, and support is offered via their PA to go through them and discuss any resulting issues or queries.