Agenda item

(To receive a report by Lisa Adams, Service Manager Barnardo's Leaving Care Services, which provides the Panel with the six monthly review report to demonstrate the performance of Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service in regard to care leavers (18-25 years old))

Consideration was given to a report which provided the six month review report to demonstrate the Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service in regard to care leavers (18-25 year olds).  Areas covered within the report included accessing and maintaining suitable, safe accommodation; accessing and maintaining appropriate Education, Employment and Training opportunities; compliments and complaints; and Lincolnshire Leaving Care Contract.

It was noted that the report considered data from April to October 2019, and contract monitoring meetings were held monthly between Lincolnshire County Council officers and Barnardo's.

The Panel were guided through the report and were provided with the 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 confirmed that someone had been appointed to carry out influence and advice work as there was resource to fund this post, and there was a need to do more work with young people to ensure that their needs were being met in the way they wanted.

·         The Panel was advised that co-operation with district councils had been good, and if there was a young person who wanted to go on the council housing register or receive council tax relief, the issues were resolved quickly.

·         It was reported that district councils had been incredibly flexible, and were giving young people eight or nine choices for housing options, even though they were only required to provide one.  Council tax relief for care leavers had also been a priority, but a variance still existed across districts at the age until which this could be claimed.  Care leavers were also being given priority on housing lists.

·         It was reported that a scheme was running in Scotland called 'Gap Housing', which Barnardo's was planning to roll out in England.  Under this scheme, Barnardo's was given small parcels of land by local authorities, and Barnardo's  would then build a small number of houses specifically for care leavers.  They were hoping to build 50 of these houses in England.  They would be small, one bedroom properties, and Barnardo's had partnered with Ikea to furnish them.

·         It was reported that as part of the budget setting process, East Lindsey District Council had agreed to provide council tax relief to care leavers up to the age of 25.  It was acknowledged that the County Council had asked districts to do this, and it was important to keep the pressure up for the remaining district councils.

·         There were concerns around the criteria for level of need for mental health support, as there were reports that young people needed to be at crisis level before they could get any help.

·         It was noted that one of the positives in relation to mental health services for Lincolnshire, was that the County Council commissioned the CAMHS service.  There was a more gradual drop off of services for young people transitioning to adult services.

·         It was noted that in terms of the council tax relief, the biggest financial impact would be on the county council.

·         It was noted that parents would help their children to manage paying bills etc. when moving to their own property and suggested that similar guidance should be available for care leavers moving into their own home.

·         It was queried what the theme of the FAB awards and the Panel was advised it was the FAB Party, and it was planned to have live music, a silent disco, and the university were being asked to do the catering again, which would be a selection of party food.

RESOLVED

That the Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service Six Month Report be noted.