Agenda item

Helen Radcliffe, Strategic Manager for Progression and Learning gave an update report and presentation on the support provided to care leavers to enable them to progress into sustained post-16 education, employment or training (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Information was provided on the Durham Works Programme for Schools which provides transition support and careers guidance to targeted pupils in years 10 and 11. The Workplaces Project, which began in June 2023, introduces pupils in years 10 and 12 to the world of work through visits to work premises and meetings with employers, in a sector of interest to each young person. Sessional employment opportunities provide paid work placements with Durham County Council and 26 care leavers have accessed these placements since October 2021. Currently 7 care leavers are apprentices with Durham County Council. 

The Panel noted the Council has used Pupil Premium Plus Post-16 funding to appoint a dedicated officer to support care leavers who are enrolled in further education and an incentive scheme was introduced to encourage those in further education to maintain regular attendance at college.  The Panel noted that 32 care leavers are studying at university and their Young People’s Advisers work closely with the young people with regard to issues including accommodation and finance.

Current data produced by the Department for Education shows that the proportion of care leavers aged 17-18 and 19-21 for whom Durham County Council is the corporate parent, who are not in education, employment or training is lower compared to the average rates regionally and nationally. However, the proportion of care leavers, whose destination is not known in Durham is greater compared to the average rates regionally and nationally.

The Vice-Chair noted the relatively high rate of those whose destination is not known and the Strategic Manager responded that work is ongoing to investigate further and she referred to the increasing number of young people who have mental health and anxiety issues which may act as a barrier to engagement.

Luke provided the view that 32 care leavers at university out of a total cohort of over 300 seemed low and he asked whether more work should be done to raise awareness of the support available to those who decide to take the university route. The Strategic Manager highlighted that the support offered to young people attending university was one of the areas identified by Ofsted as a key strength and she added there is always more work to be done. The Strategic Manager undertook to make enquiries as to whether information was available from neighbouring authorities on the percentage of care leavers studying at university. 

Resolved:

That the report and presentation be noted.