West Lothian Council

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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