Minutes:
Andrew Fowler, head of service, children in care and care leavers introduced the item and the presenters; Steve Chaplin, service manager, children and adult’s services and Melanie Aarons Royal, experienced practitioner (EET).
In addition to the presentation there were power point slides.
Summary of the presentation:
What is the impact of Covid?
• Education
Exam results
Teaching (lockdown/self isolating)
• Employment
More competition and fewer opportunities
Level 2 apprenticeships phased out
• Training
Social distancing affecting practical skills learning
What does Southwark have in place for its care leavers
Universal offer
• Education and training providers
• JCP Youth Obligation
• Employment
• Southwark Internship & Apprenticeship Schemes
• Weekly panel for young people not in education or training
• EET newsletter
• Weekly EET drop ins (Reach Out, Drop In)
Specialist offer
• Expanded LCS careers service
• Partnership with St. Giles and twin training through Southwark works
• Care leaver covenant
• Developing partnership with DWP and drop in service
• Partnership working with local economy team
What is in the offer for care leavers
• Support for college and further education
• College enrolment and retention
• Support while in university
• Employment support
• Direct referral
• Work placements
• Apprenticeship bursary
• Job start support
The meeting broke out into workshops for 15 minutes to discuss the key questions below:
1. What more can be offered to care leavers from corporate parents across the council?
2. How can we improve the mental health offer for 18+ young people?
3. How can we expand the mentoring scheme to help our care leavers sustain eet?
The meeting resumed at 4.05 pm.
Feedback on workshops to assist with the EET action plan and any follow up actions:
Workshop 1
Tracy Harrison in conjunction with Ganiyat, provided feedback on workshop 1 - key issues that came out of the workshop were communication, empathy, understanding and connectivity. These were some of the main things Ganiyat would want as a care leaver in terms of helping her on the path. She specifically called out Melanie and said the relationship she had with her and her style of working with young care leavers was excellent. This helped Ganiyat to move forward on her way to employment. Other matters discussed were preparations for interviews, mentoring, partnerships with local organisations such as Tideway and the Shad. Also looked at what more the council could do both in terms of opportunities for young people as well as mentoring across each of the departments to help and show a pathway into employment.
Workshop 2
Cllr Stephanie Cryan provided feedback on workshop and said they took the first question which was what more can be offered to care leavers from corporate parents across the council? Cllr Cryan said there were some great ideas that came out of the workshop which they felt it was not just about work experience but creating opportunities like volunteering opportunities being available in the voluntary sector. Francis highlighted an idea about compiling a list of organisations that provide volunteering and work experience opportunities, which could be linked with care leavers.
Potentially linking the young advisors and care leavers to offer their expertise and experiences around that. Another point of discussion was how people navigate around the system. How the staff youth team could mentor young people during covid and providing that consistent support. Other issues discussed was navigating around the system – in order to explain what is an apprenticeship or an internship and work experience when mentoring a young person.
Workshop 3
Mark Kerr provided feedback on workshop 3. They looked at how to improve mental health amongst young people. The points highlighted were that young people should feel that they are being listened to and valued. There should be strong listening skills, co-production of care plans and how we would move forward with this.
People working and speaking with young people should be open and transparent with them. Another point was the service improvement and those working with care leavers should be informed of strategy service development and co-producing what it should look like.
Looking at training, apprenticeships and employment for opportunities for care leavers and to address the mental health needs of young people that sometimes tend to fluctuate. Making sure that services are fully accessible to young people.
The chair stated the council would reaffirm their commitment on this.
A young care leaver addressed the meeting to highlight the amazing work the council were doing in regards to supporting and caring for young people.