Agenda item

The Panel received an updated report on the Care Leavers’ Covenant from the Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence, and welcomed Alex Latham-Reynolds, Head of Partnerships, Care Leaver Covenant (CLC) who gave an overview of the report (for copy of report and presentation see file). 

The Head of Partnerships, CLC explained that regional work was DfE funded and noted the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, adding that the aim was to build a village of opportunity to give care leavers a choice for their future.  He added that it was important to work in co-production with young people and added that in the North East their needs were often underserved and that it was important for organisations in both the public and private sector to look to the CLC.  He noted that there were five core outcomes for the CLC: Independent Living; Employment, Education and Training; Safety and Security; Health; and Finance.

The Head of Partnerships, CLC noted there had been over 500 signatories to the CLC and ranged from large companies down to small family run firms.  He noted other Local Authorities that had signed up, including Gateshead Council who had worked with Sky to offer free broadband for 18 months, a free laptop and an employment and life skills training day for care leavers.  He noted another example was Merlin Entertainment, offering free tickets to those applying for jobs, and work with Universities in the region with the North East Raising Aspirations Partnership.  The Panel noted work with the NHS, with examples given including accommodation being provided for apprentices in Birmingham.  It was noted around a third of young people wanted to work in the health and social care sector and the Head of Partnerships, CLC explained that all the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) had signed up to the CLC, with over 1,000 ringfenced jobs over three years.  He noted that in building up a regional care leaver offer, it was important to work with Local Authorities in terms of internal opportunities and also with the Civil Service.

In terms of accessing information and offer, the Head of Partnerships, CLC explained there was the ‘Connects’ a system that young people could access.  He noted that there was the Regional Care Leavers Board and explained that it was important to ensure that care leavers did not lose out when they moved across borders between different Local Authority areas and therefore work with areas/organisations with devolved powers.

The Head of Partnerships, CLC noted that it was also important to embed work with care leavers into economic development, and that could be through the work of Councillors in their work with businesses and gave an example of working with regional water companies to offer discounts to care leavers and noted that it was not Local Authorities working on their own.

The Chair thanked the Head of Partnerships, CLC and asked the Panel for their questions and comments.

Councillor A Sterling noted the work with ENGIE and asked if there were any plans for similar work in the North East.  The Head of Partnerships, CLC noted he could look into the matter.

The Vice-Chair noted a recent television programme titled ‘Kids’ following the experience of two care leavers and suggested it would be useful to watch.

The Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence explained that the recommendation within the report was asking that Durham sign up to the CLC and Connects system.  Luke explained he was aware of the system from discussion at an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Bill Kellett entered the meeting at 10.46am

Resolved:

(a)     That the content of the report and presentation be noted.

(b)     Agree that Durham County Council become a signatory to the Care Leavers’ Covenant.