Minutes:
Leval Haughton-James, youth worker and the young people (in attendance) presented the item on the care leaver steering group:
Young person I – presented (Communication and connecting with young people)
· Communication and connecting with the young people
· Being able to provide service updates, opportunities and connect with young people over various platforms
· Opportunities for youth led content and /or promotion of activities
· Access to YouTube and social media pages (all digital content created could be uploaded on YouTube for care leavers to view in their own time)
· Use of social media to advertise and promote events
· Newsletters: Updates of care leavers support (internal and external), information regarding cost of living and advice for young parents
· Digital team: Recording and editing gateway sessions, testimonials/feedback, 60-second news report, short films (A day in the life of?)
· Ring-fenced opportunities across Southwark council and/or creating job opportunities – care leavers to have opportunities to gain employment for specific job or apprenticeship within the council.
Young person L – presented (Housing)
· Young people to have more bidding options
· Support with moving on from studio flats (to bigger properties) post 25 or case closer
· Opportunities to bid on studio and 1 bedrooms
· Additional support in place from housing departments
· Gardening support – help and support with maintaining garden
· Maintenance support – repairs, painting – for new tenancy.
At this point, the chair explained that the cabinet member for housing, Councillor Darren Merrill was currently on adoption/parental leave. It was noted that Councillor Stephanie Cryan would take over responsibility of this cabinet role during the councillor’s leave of absence.
Young person R – presented (Health)
· Learning difficulties/disabilities testing examples, Dyslexia, ADD and ADHD
· Testing service for over 18s (free for care leavers)
· Hoarding advice and support (health or housing) – to have a service in place to promote the importance of understanding why young people hoard
· Substance abuse and emotional wellbeing – clear pathway of support and follow up with young people.
Young person A – presented (Participation)
· Young people to have access to Talfourd Place area which is still an ongoing issue after COVID 19 only sessions
· Use of computer room, access to advice support and guidance
· Access to shower rooms or washing machine
· Some sessions take place in Talfourd Place
· Driving and theory lessons and support around owning a car
· Theory lessons and preparation agreed to start on: 23 August
· Guidance and information about owning and maintaining a car
· Workshops – mortgage advice and support, housing options and housing pathway for care leavers.
Young person C – presented (Finances)
· Update process of making payments to young people – named finance contact was able to support with outstanding payments and for payments under £100 could be made instantly
· Paying private rented deposits – payment made same day /once tenancy agreed for deposits of private rent – service managers were able to make payments from credit cards.
Identified areas for extra support
· YouTube and social media pages – support and access and permission to upload to Southwark YouTube channel and permission to have additional social media pages (Instagram and ticktock)
· Digital team – support from Southwark communications dept (mentors, time and/or resources for partnership work)
· Update process to make payments easier for young people – BACS payments (instant payments) were not possible
· Referenced housing issues delays and ability to bid on one-bedroom flats
· Finance issues/ communication with social worker and personal advisor – concerned about the length of time it takes for money to reach young people (e.g. care leaver grants).
Comments and suggestions highlighted at the meeting:
· Professional filmmaker connected with young people in Southwark - to secure funding for long-term work
· Expansion of work for corporate parenting duties
· Property – social value to care leavers and addressing issues on health
· Social services caseload - not enough information provided to social workers, needs more delivery and connection of services especially during induction.
At 4.03pm the meeting took a comfort break and then reconvened 4.05pm.