Agenda item

(To receive a report by Lisa Adams, Service Manager, Barnardo's Leaving Care Service, which provides the Panel with the opportunity to consider the work undertaken on behalf of the Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service by Barnardo's)

The Corporate Parenting Panel received the annual report relating to the work undertaken on behalf of Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service by Barnardo's.  The purpose of the report was to demonstrate the performance of Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service in regard to care leavers (18-25 years old).

Members were guided through the report and attention was drawn to the following areas – accessing and maintaining suitable, safe accommodation; accessing and maintaining appropriate Education, Employment and Training opportunities; compliments and complaints; and Lincolnshire Leaving Care Contract.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was highlighted that the link between 'in care' and 'leaving care' was vital.

·         It was noted that one young person would be attending their graduation ceremony, and clarification was sought that there would be someone who could attend with them.  It was confirmed that Barnardo's officers were trying to get to events such as graduations so they could support young people.

·         Officers were thanked for providing the Panel with a positive report.

·         It was queried whether it would be considered to approach large employers in Lincolnshire in relation to developing opportunities for apprenticeships for care leavers. 

·         It was queried how supportive were district councils being and was there anything that dual hatted members could do to help.  It was noted that in terms of the district council and housing, the Corporate Parenting Manager had done a lot of work with the districts and they were very supportive.  Some districts had more of a turnover of care leavers and so the authority worked very well with them.  There had been some individual cases which had been challenging, but the Corporate Parenting Manager had raised the issues with the district and the issues had been sorted out.  It was noted that there had been a really good response in relation to the individual cases.

·         It was noted that the report only covered up to the end of March 2020 and the impact of Covid-19 would be included in the report for the following year.

·         In response to a question about private renting, it was noted that this was an option for care leavers, and officers would look through the tenancy agreement with the young person and offer support.

·         In terms of Covid-19, it was noted that Barnardo's had been successful in getting an additional £13,000 of funding to help care leavers deal with social isolation.  This had been used to provide data bundles, mobile phones and laptops so they could access social media.  It was also noted that staff had had much more regular contact with care leavers than the statutory requirement.  There was also management oversight through Mosaic.  Members commented that this was positive news and were pleased that care leavers were being supported in this way.

·         One member commented that they were pleased to see that examples of achievements and feedback had been included in the report.

·         In terms of the apprenticeships, it was queried whether the scheme was limited to 10 young people, and if there was a wish to increase this number would that create a budget pressure?  It was highlighted that Lincolnshire had always been supportive of apprenticeships.  It was noted that if there were individual cases where it was thought they would benefit from an apprenticeship and it would go over the 10 places, then the local authority would be approached.  The Panel was advised that there was sufficient funding for up to 10 care leavers to engage in apprenticeships, and that number tended to not be reached.  However, officers would be happy to approach the departmental leadership team to increase funding if there was a need.

RESOLVED

            That the Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service Annual Report and performance of the Leaving Care Service be noted.