Leeds, UK – Young people leaving care in Leeds and across the UK are set to benefit from a renewed focus on local authority support, thanks to a comprehensive new resource pack launched by the Local Government Association (LGA). The initiative arrives as councils grapple with increasing pressures on children’s services and a growing recognition of the unique vulnerabilities faced by care leavers as they navigate the transition to adulthood.
The “Support for Care Leavers: Resource Pack for Councillors,” published this week by the LGA, is specifically designed to equip elected members with the knowledge and tools to champion the needs of this often-overlooked group. It underscores the critical role councillors play in ensuring that local authorities fulfil their statutory duties and go further in providing effective, tailored support.
Understanding the Challenges:
Leaving care is a pivotal moment in a young person’s life, marking the shift from formal support systems to independent living. For care leavers, this transition can be particularly daunting. Often lacking the familial networks and financial stability of their peers, they face heightened risks of homelessness, unemployment, mental health challenges, and social isolation.
The LGA resource pack highlights that effective support is not just a moral imperative, but also a sound investment in the future. By providing robust assistance, councils can empower care leavers to achieve their full potential, contribute to their communities, and reduce long-term reliance on public services.
Key Recommendations and a “Whole-Council Approach”:
The resource pack urges councillors to adopt a proactive and holistic approach, embedding support for care leavers across all council functions. Key recommendations include:
- Active Listening and Co-production: The guidance stresses the vital importance of directly engaging with care leavers to understand their lived experiences and shape services around their needs. This “co-production” approach ensures that support is relevant, accessible, and truly impactful. In Leeds, organisations like Leeds Children and Young People’s Partnership actively work to involve young people in service design.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: The pack champions a “whole-council approach,” advocating for seamless collaboration between children’s services, housing, education, employment, and health departments. This joined-up approach is crucial to addressing the multifaceted needs of care leavers. Leeds City Council’s Children’s Social Work Services website likely outlines their departmental structures and contact points, which councillors can utilise to foster collaboration.
- Tailored and Responsive Support: Recognising that each care leaver’s journey is unique, the resource emphasises the need for personalised support plans that adapt to individual circumstances and aspirations. This includes flexible housing options, tailored employment and training opportunities, and ongoing emotional and practical guidance. Local organisations like Barnardo’s Leeds often provide such individualised support programmes.
- Championing Care Leavers’ Rights: Councillors are encouraged to act as advocates for care leavers within their communities, raising awareness of their needs and challenging negative perceptions. This includes promoting access to local services and opportunities and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. Leeds City Council’s website, specifically within their children and families section, should provide information on how councillors can engage with and support care leavers locally.
Local Resources and Outreach in Leeds:
For care leavers in Leeds and councillors seeking to connect them with local support, the following resources may be valuable:
- Leeds City Council Children’s Social Work Services: (https://www.leeds.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-social-work) – This is the primary point of contact for care leavers in Leeds seeking support from the local authority. Their website provides information on services, eligibility, and contact details.
- Leeds Children and Young People’s Partnership: (https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-children-and-young-people-partnership) – This partnership brings together various agencies in Leeds to improve outcomes for children and young people, including care leavers. They may offer partnership programmes and initiatives.
- Barnardo’s Leeds Children’s Services: (https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/leeds-childrens-services) – Barnardo’s provides a range of services for children and young people in Leeds, including support for care leavers. Their website details specific programmes and how to access them.
- The Care Leavers’ Association: (https://careleavers.com/) – While a national organisation, the Care Leavers’ Association offers valuable advice, advocacy, and peer support for care leavers across the UK, including those in Leeds. Their website provides resources and contact information.
This new resource pack from the LGA offers a timely and essential guide for councillors in Leeds and across the country. By embracing its recommendations and actively engaging with local resources, councillors can play a pivotal role in ensuring that care leavers receive the support they need to thrive and build successful futures.
Resource and Credit: This news article is based on information from the “Support for care leavers: resource pack for councillors,” published by the Local Government Association (LGA). Local resource links are based on publicly available information and are intended as a starting point for further exploration.