Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on a revised approach to supporting care leavers in their own accommodation.

          The Board was advised that for many care leavers, there was a transition period between living in residential or foster care and taking up their own tenancy, often referred to as semi-independent or supported living. In recent times, the number of Halton care leavers had increased due to the increased number of older young people entering the care system. It was noted that some of these care leavers required significant support to make progress towards independent living.

          The Care Leaver Service had tried to change the way it delivered its services to meet the challenge of efficiency while ensuring customer focus, value for money and demonstrating best practice. Members were advised that in order to develop the offer for Halton care leavers, it was proposed that support for young people be commissioned which ensured the delivery of a number of outcomes including financial support, personal safety and increasing self-esteem and resilience. A second phase would be to work with local housing providers to develop a small group setting for care leavers. The report provided further detail on both proposed phases for Members to consider.

          RESOLVED: That the proposed approach be endorsed.