Joint Housing Protocol for Care Leavers Set to be Endorsed
A Joint Housing Protocol for young people leaving care is set to be adopted by South Tyneside Council next week.
The proposed new Protocol outlines the Council's commitment to supporting care leavers to find housing when they leave care. It sets out how both Housing and Children's services will work together to make sure the right homes and support are available to those leaving care, as well as to prevent homelessness.
Care leavers are young people aged 16 to 25 who is, or was, 'looked after' by the Council.
Borough Council members will be asked to approve and adopt the Joint Protocol for Care Leavers when they meet on Thursday (23 January).
Councillor Liz McHugh, Lead Member for Children and Families Social Care & Education and Skills, said: "Leaving care can be a worrying time for our looked after children and leaving too early will present big challenges which will impact their life chances.
"As a Corporate Parent, we have a duty to ensure that all our care leavers are prepared for what life would be like when they leave care.
"We are committed to ensuring they get the same level of support that anyone would expect from a reasonable parent, that they are supported now and in the future and are provided with the opportunities they need."
Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: "Housing is one of the main foundations for a positive transition to adulthood. If adopted, this new joint protocol will clearly outline how services will work together to support care leavers in finding a safe, secure and suitable place to live and to call home, setting them on a path to succeed and prosper and live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives.
"With Housing and Children's services working closer together we can better ensure that the appropriate accommodation is available to our care leavers, based on their individual preferences, needs, circumstances and the homes that are available."
The draft Joint Protocol has been developed with help from South Tyneside Care Leavers Council which supports young people to improve services for care leavers.
Members will hear that young people in care are allocated a personal advisor shortly after their 16th birthday, who will help guide them through the housing and support process until the age of 25. The Leaving Care Team is also available for support, advice and guidance after a care leaver turns 25, if they need it.
The joint protocol will reflect what the Council does in practice and will allow the housing and children's service to monitor and review cases in a more structured way. It will also strengthen work already being undertaken to support care leavers into housing and managing their tenancies, as identified in a recent Ofsted report.
The meeting of Borough Council is taking place on Thursday 23 January, at6pm, in the Council Chamber at South Shields Town Hall. Borough Council meetings are also livestreamed on the Council's YouTube channel at South Tyneside Council - YouTube