OFSTED: good authorities can make real difference for young people leaving care

Surveying six local authorities, four secure estate settings and 103 care leavers, ‘Support for care leavers’  shows that good authorities recognise that like other young people, care leavers will make mistakes and change their minds about their future.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said: “This report shows the difference good local authorities can make to the lives of young people leaving care. The transition into adulthood and independence can be an anxious and challenging time. However, the commitment made by social care workers to go that extra mile for these young people is evident in our report. Over three quarters of the 103 care leavers surveyed said they received good levels of practical help and guidance to prepare them for independent living.”

In five of the authorities, tailor-made arrangements and joint working between the local authority and their partners provided seamless, ‘wraparound’ services for each care leaver, based on their needs. In one council, for example, pooled budgets and partnership arrangements led to the development of a specialist service for young people with complex disabilities. Facilities were provided that focused on the individual which integrated into adult services. Young people and families say this has helped to provide clarity and continuity in planning processes for young people leaving care.

Inclusion of care leavers’ views and inviting them to join decision-making panels empowered young people and brought about improvements in the quality of services which affected them.

In five of the authorities visited desired outcomes for care leavers were clearly set out in plans. Examples included the council and its partners demonstrating their strong commitment and high aspirations for care leavers by focusing on their success. These authorities celebrated young people’s achievements by holding award ceremonies. Elsewhere, authorities encouraged care leavers to think about following further or higher education courses. Two authorities had negotiated protocols with colleges and universities to help the young people continue their education.

However, preparations for young people leaving care from secure settings were less successful. The tensions between the task of managing behaviour and risk, and helping care leavers gain independence skills had an impact on the number of opportunities for preparatory work made available to individual care leavers. Young people in secure settings were also not confident about leaving care; of the 30 young people who responded only five felt ‘totally prepared’ about leaving care.

Shortage of suitable accommodation was also an issue. Three of the authorities visited did not have access to a sufficient stock of suitable, long-term independent accommodation to meet the needs of all care leavers and were dependent upon private sector provision, particularly in rural areas.

The report recommends areas for improvements, which include the Department of Children, Schools and Families working in partnership with the Benefits Agency to review issues within the benefits system that have an adverse impact on foster carers and care leavers moving into independence. Local authorities should also increase housing options, including the provision of more suitable emergency accommodation for care leavers.