Agenda item

The education and employment workshop (16+ Leaving Care Service) opened with a presentation, which highlighted the following points:

·  What Southwark has in place for its care leavers

·  What is in the local offer for care leavers

·  Data in care leavers aged 19-21 at the end of the quarter in education, employment or training across local councils in London Borough of Southwark

·  Findings of the data

·  Education/employment 16 – 18 The Virtual School Key Stage 5

·  Attainment levels/outcome analysis

·  Headline education, employment and training figures for the academic year 2020-21

·  Identification of the needs of care leavers

·  Case study of Owolabi and his outstanding educational and voluntary work achievements and winning Southwark Young Citizen of the Year 2021

·  Key messages from care leavers and what they think.

The action plan set out seven points of identified action as follows:

1.  Wellbeing

2.  Champions

3.  Paid internships and work experience

4.  Apprenticeships

5.  Guaranteed shortlisting/interview Scheme

6.  Mentors

7.  A safe, stable, affordable home

The committee also received input from the Adam Marlin, Virtual School for Looked After Children who highlighted the following points:

·  Alternative provision and increased pastoral support

·  Specialist provision for young people with learning difficulties

·  Attainment levels and outcome

·  Home tuition (limited budget)

·  Weekly not in education, employment and training clinic

·  Education, employment and training action plan with a chronology of all opportunities with timescales

·  Issue of unaccompanied asylum seeking minors, which is at a high level currently.

Melanie Aarons Royal an experienced practitioner education, employment and training also provided some information to the committee addressing the needs of care levels in often difficult circumstances and issues relating to housing, training and support for when in employment (clothing, assistance with transport costs and so on) to support care leavers in their jobs.

Leval Haughton-James, children’s rights officer was in attendance with young people from Speakerbox who provided further valuable contributions to this workshop.

One of the young people was able to advise that she had earlier in the day  attended an interview for a civil service internship. The pandemic had impacted her goals but in addition to this interview was in the process of attending other interviews and exploring other opportunities. She outlined  some of the challenges facing young care leavers relate to stability and housing and the support often required.

Issues/queries raised in response to the presentation and contributions:

·  Concern that young people with special needs (mental health in particular) were given the appropriate support and the need for confidence building exercises which might include group discussions with young people with similar challenges so that they can learn from each other, boost morale and confidence. Officers agreed to look into this suggestion.

·  Query as to why care leavers cannot currently bid for a one bedroom flat. It was explained that probably would result in a reluctance  for young care leavers to bid for the bedsit option. Mentioned about the possibility of supporting care leavers and their friends’ in house shares. Officers explained that all options would be examined and there was a clear plan from the beginning for young care leavers, including the use of private landlord tenure with an offer of advanced rent payments and other support available

·  Query on 16 – 18 supported housing on Denmark Hill and how long the young people can remain at this accommodation. Officers explained that the placements were reviewed with partners/providers and there was also a clear package of support and options available for the young people from the beginning. Some of the young people if awaiting asylum clarification may require a longer stay until their legal status confirmed

·  New housing provision policy and ensuring that an element of support was built into this provision for care leavers.

·  The committee extended their congratulations to the young people in attendance at the committee and Owolabi (case study as part of their presentation) for their outstanding achievements

·  Reference to the ethnicity data and young white care leavers’ data. Officers explained that regular meetings of a panel take place to monitor and address any gaps. Young people are also part of this panel and are able to explain their own direct experience to help inform the clinical partners and officers

·  The director of children and families explained that a planned briefing was taking place with cabinet members Councillors Jasmine Ali and Stephanie Cryan to discussion the issue of new support and barriers in respect of housing for young care leavers

·  Councillor Charlie Smith raised the issue of contacts with employers in the borough mentioning the Timpson shoe repair business as an example and contacts that could be made to support and encourage care leavers in employment/apprenticeships. As well as the larger employers in the borough,  small and medium sized enterprises/employers also mentioned for providing opportunities for young care leavers

·  Support for young people in internships.

Officers identified seven key points on the action plan as follows, with the suggestion that these each be allocated to members of the corporate parenting committee:

1.  Wellbeing

2.  Champions

3.  Paid internships and work experience

4.  Apprenticeships

5.  Guaranteed shortlisting/interview Scheme

6.  Mentors

7.  A safe, stable, affordable home.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Charlie Smith discuss the suggestion of the allocation of action plan themes to members of the committee (identified above) with Councillor Jasmine Ali (chair of the corporate parenting committee).