Making sure young people in our care and care-experienced young people get the same level of care and support that we would expect for our own children is so important to us at Stockton-on-Tees MBC.
And as someone who is really passionate about making sure all our children and young people get the very best start in life, I'm incredibly proud that our council has made a strong commitment to providing equitable support and improving outcomes for care experienced young people. We've put in place personalised support to help break down any barriers that make it difficult for them to take their first steps into adulthood. It is designed to really help them to find their feet by supporting them in securing stable and affordable housing as well as training and employment.
While leaving home can be challenging for anyone, we know that it can be particularly daunting for young people in care.
So, what exactly led us to develop this scheme?
While leaving home can be challenging for anyone, we know that it can be particularly daunting for young people in care.
The evidence shows that care-experienced people are more likely to face challenges across many aspects of life, such as housing, health, employment and education because they lack the support systems available to their peers.
It's clear that enhanced measures are crucial for their stability and financial independence.
There are three aspects within the scheme designed to help young people aged 16-25. Firstly, as well as offering practical support, we've also recently agreed that ‘care experienced' is recognised as a locally Protected Characteristic.
This recognition is particularly important because it acknowledges that people with care experience can all too often face discrimination, stigma, and prejudice. It makes clear the council's commitment to reducing disparities faced by care leavers and providing fair opportunities for all and ensures the needs of care experienced young people are prioritised in our decision-making.
Secondly, the council has an employability promise which ensures that young people leaving care will receive more help into work.
We'll focus on preparing people by assessing work readiness, identifying career goals, and providing support with CV writing, interview techniques, and job searches.
But we're also offering one-to-one mentoring, paid work experience placements, training and apprenticeship opportunities, and improved long-term employment prospects. By fostering partnerships with local businesses and getting them on board, we can increase the overall support available to our young care leavers.
This personalised approach ensures that each young person receives guidance tailored to their specific needs and career aspirations. This level of bespoke support aims to boost the confidence and job readiness of care experienced young people.
And lastly, given that accessing private rented accommodation is one of the most significant barriers care leavers face, we're proud to act as a corporate rent guarantor too.
The 12-month pilot scheme will allow them to overcome the challenges which come with securing stable and affordable housing, such as discrimination by landlords, a lack of rental history or financial instability, and allow them to live independently.
All this support will be administered by people on the ground, including assigned personal advisors working in partnership with the council's employment and training hub, learning and development team and housing teams.
By providing bespoke support, the council aims to boost the confidence of care experienced young people. It ensures they're equipped to live independently and build a stable future in the long-term.
And we're already seeing young people benefitting.
People like 20-year-old Reece, who started a work placement in the council's heating ventilation and electrical (HV&E) service in February.
Working closely with his mentor and the HV&E team, he's been able to gain valuable skills and experience in joinery, painting and decorating, repairs, and maintenance, including home adaptations for people with disabilities.
I'm over the moon that with our support, Reece has recently secured a level two apprenticeship in property maintenance while working within the council's Home Improvement Agency.
We're working extremely hard to ensure young people like him are equipped to achieve whatever they desire in life, to live independently and build a stable future in the long-term.
His success and that of others shows we can truly help to improve outcomes for young care leavers in our borough.
Cllr Lisa Evans is Stockton-on-Tees MBC's cabinet member for children and young people
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