West Lothian Council has not made care experience a protected characteristic.
Care Leaver Local Offer
West Lothian 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: Not available
as an app: No
At West Lothian Council care leavers co-produce the local offer.
Details:
WLC Champions Board and Who Cares Scotland were consulted.
The best person to contact regarding the Local Offer is:
Name:
Aftercare Duty Worker
Email Address:
[email protected]
Telephone:
01506 282535
Council Tax
West Lothian Council has exempted care leavers from Council Tax
Council tax is exempted up to the age of: 26th Birthday
West Lothian Council does not include care leavers from other areas in their council tax exemption policy
To apply care leavers need to:
Contact the duty worker or allocated key worker.
Housing
Care leavers receive priority for social housing
Priority is offered up to the age of: 26th Birthday
Banding priority is: Allocated maximum housing points
Additional information / how to qualify:
Previously been Looked After will enable them to qualify. Young People will be guided and advised via After Care keyworker or duty service.
Care leavers get to practice independent living with taster flats
Additional information:
All care leavers have the opportunity and choice to access fully furnished supported tenancies on a sort or long-term basis
West Lothian Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property
West Lothian 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
Allowance amount: £1750
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers
West Lothian Council will not in principle assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers
West Lothian Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers
Employment and Apprenticeships
West Lothian Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers
Number of places per year: We cannot provide this information as we do not collect it.
West Lothian Council will pay for work/interview clothes
West Lothian Council will pay towards travel to work or training
There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at West Lothian Council
We cannot provide this information as we do not collect it. apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year
Care leavers are working as apprenticeships within West Lothian Council
Number per year: We cannot provide this information as we do not collect it.
Additional information about work and training:
Every previously Looked After Young Person is guaranteed and interview however not the position.
West Lothian Council provide 1:1 support via More ‘Choices More Chances’ service for Young People both in Education and into the transition of employment. Service Development Scotland and Access to Employment also provide a valuable service and support to care leavers.
Participation in Society
West Lothian Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care
Passport: Yes
Provisional Driving Licence: Yes
Birth Certificate: Yes
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with driving lessons
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with driving theory tests
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with driving tests
West Lothian Council in principle will assist with CBT tests
Partners local to West Lothian Council offer support with free travel for care leavers
Bus: Yes
Train / Tram: No
Additional details:
West Lothian Council provide financial assistance for travel when required.
Access to corporate parents
Care leavers do not 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:
Through the Champions Board and The Promise
Children in care and care leavers council
West Lothian Council has a children in care and care leavers council
Details of council:
West Lothian Council Champions Board
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:
Set guidelines and direction of the group to move forward with current theme and agenda items.
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: 26th Birthday
They cannot take a friend for free
Details to apply:
Contact the duty worker or allocated key worker.
Special Occasions
West Lothian Council does not pay towards Christmas and other religious celebrations for care leavers
Details:
We do receive charitable gifts at Christmas, that can also be used throughout the year for special occasions
West Lothian Council does not pay towards birthday celebrations for care leavers
Relationships
West Lothian Council has peer mentors (other care leavers)
West Lothian Council has other mentoring schemes
Details:
Peer mentors provided through the Champions Board.
Mentoring also provided through West Lothian College.
Access to care files
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
Facts and Figures
We are unable to confirm the number of looked after children in West Lothian Council over the last 10 years
We are unable to confirm the number of care leavers aged 16-24 in West Lothian Council
We are unable to confirm the percentage of care leavers in West Lothian Council who were not in education, training or employment over the last 10 years
Political Control
West Lothian Council is a Labour controlled council
If you think this information needs updating then please get in touch