Midlothian Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

We are unable to confirm up to what age priority is offered

We are unable to confirm the banding priority

Additional information / how to qualify:
Fill in application form which is supported by their allocated worker and dedicated worker from the housing department.
There is also an established “housing project” run by the council, which prepares, plans and allocates a tenancy within the scheme.

Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats

Additional information:
Midlothian Housing Project (Social work) engages young people in preparation for independent living.

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

Details:
This is not a common activity but has happened on occasion.

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

Details:
The council has and will continue to offer this as an option when identified as a need.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: £1800

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

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

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

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

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Midlothian Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Midlothian Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: as required

Midlothian Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Midlothian Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Midlothian Council

As required apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

We are unable to confirm if there are care leavers working as apprenticeships within Midlothian Council

Additional information about work and training:
There are a number of avenues whereby young people are supported into work and training. Every care leaver who receives an Aftercare Service is supported with these activities within their care plans. This is within a multi-agency context with schools, DWP, colleges and employers.

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

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with driving lessons

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with driving tests

Midlothian Council in principle will assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Midlothian 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:
The Champions group have regular activities with senior management, executive officers and councillors on a regular basis. This involves shared activities as well representation on the board of directors.

Midlothian Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
As above; Champions group.

Children in care and care leavers council has its own bank account

Children in care and care leavers council does not have its own constitution

Midlothian Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)

Midlothian Council does not have other mentoring schemes

Details:
Midlothian Council have an established champions group of all ages which has a mentoring feature within its operations.

Young people 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:
Midlothian Council have an established champions group of all ages which has a mentoring feature within its operations.