http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14 News feed from the National Care Advisory Service Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:33:04 GMT en-uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=246 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=246 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT This month saw the launch of Refugee Support Networks report, "I just want to study", which discusses the barriers to accessing Higher Education faced by young refugees and asylum seekers. The report tells the stories of many young asylum seekers and refugees that we have worked with, and shows the importance they place on education. Their stories speak of perseverance and a desire to give back to others with their education, like Amina:I want to study at university to become a mid-wife. I want to work in a hospital in England, but also one day I want to go back to my country and be a mid-wife there. Really, when it is safe for me I want to go back for sometime to the refugee camp where I lived for many years, because there they do not have any midwives. I want to help them to have better health there. - Amina*, 20, SomaliaMore information about the report launch can be found in the blog, and the report can be downloaded in full from their website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=244 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=244 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT This week, the Today programme reported that local authorities in England are making more applications than ever to put children into care. Jade, who has spent part of her teenage years in care, says that looking back at her time it could have been done differently but she still feels social services do try and make it as smooth as possible. She believes social services are doing the "right thing" and she feels they are being unfairly victimised for "stepping up to the mark". They can never win over public opinion, she adds. Jade has worked with NCAS on the Staying put evaluation and is now supporting the dissemination of the findings. Listen to Jades interview http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=245 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=245 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Jermain Defoe has been speaking about his involvement with the E18HTEEN project in an article. E18HTEEN is a partnership between Tottenham Hotspur Football Foundation, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest which supports care leavers 16-19 to gain experience in coaching, education, employment and training. The E18HTEEN project has been awarded the From Care2Work Quality Mark for the inspirational work in providing opportunities to care leavers http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=243 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=243 Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT They say that good news travels fast and when the Pathway Team in the East Riding of Yorkshire Council gained the From Care2Work Quality Mark award this proved to be an example in case. News of their achievement was picked up and featured in the local media and received praise from the director of children, adult and family services, Alison Michalska, who said: This is a great accolade for the team, as a council and responsible corporate parents. We are all doing our bit to give these care leavers the best possible chance in the transition to adult life. The Quality Mark recognises local authorities who demonstrate a commitment to helping care leavers into the world of work and achieving the award was timely for the authority as it came on the back of a recent Ofsted inspection for which they received a judgement of outstanding for making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being. It is excellent news that the service provided by our Pathway Team has been recognised nationally, as well as by Ofsted said Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and schools. To read the news story go to: East Riding of Yorkshire pathway team win national award If you would like to have your commitment recognised or would like more information about the award then visit the FC2W Quality Mark page of the website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=242 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=242 Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT This week is the 5th National Apprenticeships Week .The Apprenticeships website is the best place to visit to learn about apprenticeships, what opportunities are available and what support you can receive from the National Apprenticeship Service. From Care2Work has been involved in apprenticeships since launching, see our dedicated apprenticeships page for more information. From Care2Work wants your views, we have a virtual enquiry currently running regarding in house apprenticeshipsand would love to hear from local authorities and employers that are supporting care leavers into apprenticeships. Also take a look at our recent virtual enquiry regarding access to apprenticeships for care leavers, identifying some of the barriers as well as the support that is offered by local authorities. Did you know that care leavers qualify for FULL funding in apprenticeships up to the age of 24? See more information here, there are certain criteria that apply, but this means a wider range of opportunities for care leavers aged 16-24. Local authorities continue to support care leavers into apprenticeships both within the council and with partners, examples of this are Hampshire County Council, working in partnership with Catch 22 on the Internships + Programme Essex County Council who offer a subsidy to employersthat take on a care leaver apprentice Liverpool City Council has been at the forefront of offering apprenticeships to care leavers London Councils produced a report detailing how care leavers in the capital had been supported with apprenticeships by their local authority. Current Opportunities AON, the worlds largest insurance company is offering apprenticeships starting in September in a variety of locations; see the Directions website for more information Westlea are a Housing Association in the South West of England, who have a wide variety of opportunities for their residents, see here for an interesting apprenticeship opportunity. For more information about apprenticeships, or to tell us what you are doing to support care leavers with apprenticeships please contact us via email at FC2W@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=241 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=241 Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT After the abolishment of the Education Maintenance Allowance the Government introduced the16-19 bursary and made looked after children and care leavers entitled to 1,200 per year, which should have guaranteed continued provision for this vulnerable group of young people. Today, Barnardos have released areport that describes the difficulties young people accessing the discretionary element of the bursary, but our discussions with the leaving care sector suggest that even those who were meant to be protected by the scheme have experienced difficulties. Linda Briheim-Crookall, NCAS Senior Policy Manager said: It was very positive that the Government protected support for children in care and care leavers when replacing the Education Maintenance Allowance with the 16-19 bursary. However, practice appears to vary greatly across the country and anecdotal evidence suggests that the bursary scheme is not operating as intended in all areas. Not all eligible young people in care or care leavers appear to have received payments, whereas elsewhere more enhanced support is offered. This is why we have created a survey to gather evidence from both young people and professionals about how well the 16-19 bursary scheme is supporting care leavers. We want to identify both what is working well and needs improving, so that we can make recommendations for Government of how the scheme can be improved. If you are a care leavers age 16-19 in school/college, or work with young people in care and care leavers, feed in your views and experiences and encourage others to give us their view by24 February 2012: Survey for professionals Survey for young people The more evidence we can gather the more effective our call for change will be so please take the time to fill in our short survey. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=240 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=240 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Student Loan Company has just issued its latest Stakeholder and Partner bulletin which contains information for students applying for university for the academic year 2012/13 and a link to the directgov website that outlines all the finances they are entitled to. The bulletin also has link to a range of resources for practitioners who offer advice to students about their financial options. To download a copy click on the link: Stakeholder & Partner bulletin http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=239 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=239 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT From May this year inspections of child protection serviceswill change and today (31 January) Ofsted havepublished detailed informationabout the new process. The focus of inspections will be on the childs journey Inspections will be unannoucned and at least every three years Children and familieswill be consulted directly Staff will be shadowed and work observed Partner agencies will be involved Details of the arrangements for future inspection of children in care services have also been released. Read what we have to say about the original proposalsNCAS response http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=227 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=227 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sitra and NCAS are pleased to announce this afternoon tea seminar, which explains the current legal position and policy framework for accommodating young homeless people in the wake of the G v Southwark ruling, and will explore how two different local authorities manage provision and protocol. It will give you an opportunity to identify how young peoples needs can be better met within your organisation or locality. Bookings are now open Read more about the programme http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=238 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=238 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish parliament held a debate on the inquiry into the educational attainment of looked after children on 11 January 2011. Five themes were identified from the evidence, including: readiness to learn, support at school, and better implementation of existing legislation and policies. Find out more on the Scottish Parliament website or watch the debate at: BBC: Looked-after childrens education debate 1 BBC: Looked-after childrens education debate 2 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=237 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=237 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ofsted has launched a consultation on proposals for a revised framework for the inspection of adoption support agencies. Proposals include: reducing the number of judgements inspectors make; and reducing the notice period of inspection from 8 weeks to 10 days. A childrens and young persons guide of the consultation has also been made available. The consultation for the inspection of adoption support agencies runs until 3 April. The new inspection framework will come into force from September 2012. read the Ofsted Press Release or access the consultation on Ofsted - inspection of adoption support agencies http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=236 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=236 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Many care leavers face significant disadvantage growing up and moving into adult life. Statistics constantly show that care leavers fare worse than their peers in terms of qualifications, progression to further and higher education or training, and likelihood of becoming not in education, employment and training (NEET). A lack of parental support and advice is likely to compound challenges that care leavers face in entering education, employment or training. In order to increase care leavers awareness of their rights and support available to them, NIACE has produced a free electronic leaflet for care leavers aged 16-25 in England (this replaces our 2009 version). You can download this leaflet at http://shop.niace.org.uk/care-leavers-leaflet.html. This leaflet can be used in individual or group individual Information, Advice and Guidance sessions, and disseminated on your website (please reference NIACE). http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=235 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=235 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Article 26 works in partnership with the following universities to provide full tuition fee bursaries and an additional support package to students seeking sanctuary who aspire to study in Higher Education: Winchester University Chester University Cumbria University Salford University Manchester University Canterbury Christ Church University St Marys University College If you or someone you know is interested check out the Helena Kennedy Foundation website for further information. Students must apply through UCAS - deadline 15th Jan 2012. The deadline for Article 26 applications is 30th March 2012. For more information, please contact Rebecca on 07714 597148 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=234 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=234 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT HSBC are offering more work experience placements. HSBC work experience opportunities CLOSING DATE: 29 January 2012 Theres still time for your students to apply for HSBCs work experience campaign, this is available nationwide but there is a particularly high demand for candidates in; Grimsby, Coventry, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Basingstoke, Fareham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. This programme enables over a hundred people to get access to a placement and find out more about a career in banking. HSBC application HSBC work experience programme details If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, please dont hesitate to contact Barry Cullen, Employer Relations Manager, NCAS Barry.Cullen@catch-22.org.uk 07545 422606 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=233 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=233 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Local authorities and employers are now using the new process to apply for the From Care2Work Quality Mark award and have their commitment to the employability of care leavers recognised. At the last panel meeting in December 2011 a number of applications were assessed and the award was granted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. Leicester City Council and Durham County Council were the first authorities to successfully renew their awards which have now been granted for two years. Two local authorities were offered the ‘Working Towards award (which comes with support from NCAS) or the option to incorporate the recommendations made and re-submit their application. If you would like to have your commitment recognised or would like more information about the award then go FC2W Quality Mark page of the website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=232 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=232 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Buttle UK Quality Mark Commitment for Care Leavers in FE The Buttle UK Quality Mark was established based on a series of recommendations from the five-year action research study ‘By Degrees: From Care to University undertaken by the Institute of Education in 2000-2005. Buttle UK commissioned this piece of work due to the low numbers of care leavers progressing to higher education at the time (the first official government statistics available in 2001-02 identified only 1% of care leavers had reached university). The Quality Mark has been awarded to higher education institutions from 2006. A pilot study with 25 further education colleges introduced the Quality Mark for FE Colleges in 2011 and since January 2012 all colleges nationwide are able to apply for the award. The aim of the Quality Mark is to increase the number of young people participating successfully in education post 16 and to support those in education to succeed. It is a mark of excellence recognising and celebrating the work institutions do to raise aspirations among children and young people in care/care leavers and to help them access college and university and complete the courses they have chosen to study. The award provides a framework for assessing the quality of the support an institution has in place and how it is developed over time to meet the needs of students from a care background. It also contributes to establishing coherent progression pathways for children and children and young people in care/care leavers through effective collaboration of local authorities and Trusts, further education colleges, universities and other relevant partners. To apply for the Quality Mark the Head of an institution writes to Buttle UK confirming the institutions intention to implement the Commitment and identifying a senior member of staff who will be responsible for taking the Quality Mark application forward. Buttle UK will then contact this member of staff with details on the application process and will advise and work with the institution to achieve the award. For further information please contact the Quality Mark Manager at Buttle UK, Susan Mueller by email: susanm@buttleuk.org or by telephone: 020 7798 6225. We look forward to hearing from you. The Quality Mark shows Care Leavers that those colleges who have obtained it are committed to helping them overcome the challenges they face and ensures that they have the same educational opportunities as other young people. FE College The Quality Mark provides a comprehensive framework against which the College can measure provision for Looked after Children/Care Leavers. It raises awareness at College senior management level but also across College staff. It also strengthens links with key partners and stakeholders, especially Social Work Services and City Councils Education Services. FE College http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=226 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=226 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Brighter Futures Award is an award designed and awarded by young people to Social Work and Key Work professionals that show excellence in the support they give to young asylum seekers and refugees in achieving a Brighter Future. The award allows young refugees and asylum seekers the chance to nominate an inspirational social worker or key worker that has had a positive impact upon their life. The young people involved hope that by celebrating the positive work done by exceptional professionals they will create positive role models that other professionals can look up to and learn from. Nominations for the Brighter Futures Award will be close on the 24th of February 2012 and the ceremony will take place in spring 2012. For further information and to nominate please visit www.brighterfutureslondon.co.uk. For more information please do contact me on Yeukai.taruvinga@praxis.org.uk or 02077497603. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=230 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=230 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT TheFourth Edition of Seeking Support: a guide to the rights and entitlements of separated childrenis finished andavailable to download online for free here. Seeking Support is a guide to the rights and entitlements of separatedrefugee and migrant children in England, and provides advice to professionals onhow to support young people in accessing those rights. This is an essential guide for anyone working with the unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=229 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=229 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT This Department for Education consultation seeks views on revised exclusion guidance document and regulations relating to exclusion. This includes proposals for how regulations will be applied to academies, including free schools. The guidance includes provisions for looked after children. Schools are expected to work with relevant local authorities and carers of a looked after pupil to minimise and manage exclusions. Please respond to these proposals by 17 February 2012 Read the Exclusion guidance and respond to the consulation http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=228 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=228 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Proposed benefit rates from 2012 have been published and you can read them here If you want to find out more about care leavers entitlements to benefits read our benefits guide. We are planning to publish an updated version this spring so keep a look out for the new version. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=225 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=225 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Childrens Minister Sarah Teather, have confirmed an increase in the funding given to schools for disadvantaged pupils under the pupil premium. The pupil premium will continue to be provided to children that have been in care for more than 6 months and has been increased from 488 to 600 per pupil. This is to ensure that they get additional support in order to increase their achievement at school. Read the Ministers statement here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=224 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=224 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new report ‘Lookedafter Children and Offending: Reducing Risk and Promoting Resilience report, published by the University of Anglia, commissioned by TACT, has found out that going into care early can have a significant impact on a childs life. However, late entry into care in adolescence can also reduce the risk of offending if young people have supportive relationships and access to education and leisure opportunities. The report states that adolescence and leaving care are times of both opportunity and high risk, especially if you have mental health problems or if you are an offender. Recommendations for Childrens services include ensuring that young people can stay in care until 18, remain in placements until age 21 and get access to a range of accommodation options. Read more on this on this story here The full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=223 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=223 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Princes Trust are running a Get Into Hospitality programme for young people aged 16-25 at the Grosvenor House a JW Marriott Hotel, Park Lane in Central London. Care leavers are a priority group for Princes Trust, so this is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a career in the hospitality industry. Last years programme was hugely succesful with a number of young people going on to further employment. Key Dates Employability Days 17th & 18th January 2012 Taster Day Thursday 19th January 2012 The programme runs from 23rd January to 3rd February For further information, contact please give Mo Fatah a call on 0207 543 1457 or text ‘Hospitality to 07961876601 or email mohammed.fatah@princes-trust.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=222 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=222 Wed, 4 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT There is help and support available for young people in care and care leavers who want to study a degree at university. Before young people start applying for university places, they need to be informed about the support available to them and the specific schemes that each university has set up in order to help care leavers settle down at university. The Who Cares? Trust has published a Higher Education guide which provides a step by step guide for people in care who are starting university. The guide also includes 100 universities with the kinds of support they offer for people in care and care leavers. Download The HE Handbook http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=221 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=221 Wed, 4 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish government has approved a sum of 1.5 million to be spent by employers who recruit 16-24 year olds in care and in leaving care. Todays job market is very competitive and young people, particularly those in care have limited opportunities for their careers. For this reason the Scottish government believes that the incentive will lead to very positive outcomes for young peoples career paths. Young people in care and in leaving care need the right knowledge and skills so they can ease their ways towards entering the job market. The scheme will offer of up to 2,000 for employers will help convince more companies to give a young person the chance to make their first steps onto the career ladder in 2012. It will also ensure many young people can look forward to a brighter future next year. Read the news release and to find out more about the scheme. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=220 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=220 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT From Care2Work recently met withJenny Barber, Head of Educartion & Careersat theFinancial Skills Partnership. Their chief aim is to proactively support the development of a skilled workforce in the financial, finance and accountancy sectors. There are awide range of opportunities in finance, and the Directions website can assist in finding the right role for young people interested in a career in this sector Creating careers in financial services For people who are looking for a career in finance, accountancy and financial services, Directions is the place to go. Directions provides access to information on careers, work placement and job opportunities in our sector. If you havent already, take a look now and register to get the latest news and opportunities. What you will find.... The Careers Hub Explore the seven sectors of financial services Research career options using expert job profiles for over 65 careers Use the career planning information to get one step ahead The Getting In Hub Find out about the entry points to a career in the industry, from work experience through to graduate programmes Access opportunities to experience the world of finance, accountancy and financial services and register for events to meet employers Get the insider tips on standing out from the crowd, straight from the recruiters who look for new talent Register now at www.directions.org.uk/careers to keep updated on new opportunities. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with Barry Cullen, Employer Relations Manager, Barry.Cullen@Catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=219 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=219 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum Themed Learning and Development events Transitions to adulthood for care leavers: An overview of current legislation, policy and practice frameworks National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum Themed Learning and Development events offer a focussed learning and sharing opportunity for front line practitioners and managers from Local Authorities and partner agencies. The events offer updates on current issues, legislation and a chance to explore ways to develop and improve services to care leavers based on good practice examples. The day will provide an opportunity for delegates to explore best practice in supporting transitions to adulthood for care leavers focussing on current legislative, policy and practice frameworks. The event will provide a combination of expert legislation, policy and practice presenters, small group exercises to facilitate learning into practice and opportunities for Local Authorities and partner agencies to share experiences and best practice. Venues South; London,9th January 2012 10am - 3.45pm North; Doncaster,12th January 2012 10am - 3.45pm Read more in the programme, learning objectives and flier Benchmarking member organisations can send two delegates free of charge. Find out which local authorities are benchmarking members. For more information or to book a place contact sue.hobbs@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=218 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=218 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Positive for Youth: A new approach to cross-government policy for young people aged 13 to 19 was published on 19 December 2011. The statement brings together for the first time all of the Governments policies for young people aged 13 to 19. It therefore covers a wide range of issues from education and youth services, to health, crime, housing and more. In relation to children in care and those leaving care there is reiteration of the governments commitment to education support for children in care (early years, pupil premium , HE bursary) as well as initatives such assaving schemes for children in care, the foster care charter, Children in care councils, From Care2Workproject and issue of joint working to support 16-17 homeless young people. Whilst there may be little new announced directly in relation to children in and leaving care the policy statement is a useful reference document for the future direction of government policy for young people generally across a range of departments: there will be new outcome measures for all young people; youth innovations zones; funding to help young people an business link up; a national scutiny group of young people and the encouragement of youth inspection or youth mayor schemes. Read more on the strategyand implications for various partner agencies http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=217 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=217 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The 16 items of literature examined for this rapid review tell us that, whether strategies to re-engage those not in education, employment or training (NEET) are at national, local, programme, or school-level, the most effective approaches are those that: are supported by funding and a commitment to a reduction in youth unemployment adopt a whole-area approach to planning and delivery, backed by political commitment involve young people, and employers and local businesses, in strategic development, implementation and review Read more on strategies to re-engage young people not in education, employment or training. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=216 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=216 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bolton Councils work experience scheme led to a care leaver completing a level 3 apprenticeship and gaining employment in the surveyors department of Bolton at Home. From starting on a LASE Scheme (Looked After Supported Employment) work experience placement in 2008, Troi, a care leaver from Bolton, went on to complete a level 3 apprenticeship and has been offered a contract in the surveyors department of Bolton at Homeas a ‘path Trainee. LASE were able to secure Troi an apprenticeship through the work placement with Bolton at Home in Bricklaying where he successfully completed his NVQ level 2. He was then offered a 12 month contract which was extended in recognition of his hard work and achievement, and he has completed his level 3 in Trowel Occupations. Currently Troi is attending Bolton University where he is studying a HNC in Construction Studies and his ambition is to become a surveyor. To read more about this story click on the link below : http://www.leavingcare.org/admin/uploads/30044c8e6ca43fea4c76fa9e1162e853.pdf http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=215 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=215 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is inviting applications from young people aged 17 years+ to work in DCLG for 2 days per week on 3 month basis from January 2012- March 2012. The exact starting and finishing date will be agreed with successful applicants. DCLG will cover reasonable travelling expenses for your placement and associated costs. As background, this programme builds on a previously successful programme DCLG hosted from January- July 2011 where young people worked alongside officials and reported directly to Ministers, on the barriers young people identified to their participation within communities, resulting in a successful presentation to the Deputy Prime Minister. This formed part of the departments wider work on ‘barrier busting: listening to local peoples problems and trying to identify solutions as a way of empowering communities. The young volunteers briefed Ministers directly, led meetings with Ministers and external stakeholders, drafted the Ministers correspondence and very successfully presented their findings to the Deputy Prime Minister. Download further information and application form. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=214 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=214 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Building Engagement, Building Futures: the new strategyto maximise the participation of 16-24 year olds in education, training and employment (ETE) has just been published by the Government. The joint strategy developed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Department for Business and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Educationcommits to targeted support for specific groups including care leavers.It highlights that young people leaving care need particular support to remain engaged. To this endthe strategystates: "Revised regulations and guidance that came into force in April 2011, stress the importance of local authorities supporting care leavers to engage with employment, education, or training. Every care leaver will have a pathway plan setting out how the local authority will support their individual aspirations in these areas and will be supported by a Personal Adviser. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide care leavers in higher education with a bursary of 2,000. The Government also funds the National Care Advisory Service, to run the From Care2Work programme, which is increasing employment opportunities - from work experience, through Apprenticeships to other full time jobs - for care leavers." Case Study 10 From Care2Work The From Care2Work project is working with national and local employers, and over 100 local authorities to increase work opportunities for care leavers. Nathan had not been participating in education, employment or training for a long time, but was keen to get into carpentry and joinery and had previously completed a joinery course at Bradford College. He was referred to From Care2Work by a local authority personal adviser. Following an interview with Bradford Councils Building services, Nathan completed his trial period to a high standard and moved into a full time Apprenticeship. He also attended Leeds College of Building to undertake an NVQ Level 2. Nathan has recently completed his first Apprenticeship and is now moving into a further 2 year Apprenticeship to increase his skills and qualifications. There is a commitment to him being taken on as an employee when he has finished this. "I really enjoy my Apprenticeship; I have never experienced some of the work before and could not wish for better." - Nathan Read the strategy. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=212 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=212 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Safeguarding Childrens Research Initiative includes a number of studies focused on identifying and responding to abuse and neglect. An overview report looking at safeguarding children across services. The overview report brings together themes and findings from 17 studies. Some of the research will be of particular interest to those working with older looked after children. In particular there is a literature review conducted by Mike Stein and colleagues looking at neglected adolescents - more information is available here There is also studies looking at reunification of children to parents - more of this study can be found here The messages from the research have also been summarised for different agencies: Messages for adults services for professional working with parents Messages for professional working in childrens social care Messages for health professionals working with children Messages for professional working in the family justice system http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=211 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=211 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Information on the outcomes for looked after children as at 31 March 2011 have been released by the Department for Education - outcomes reported include education, health, offending and substance misuse.For the first time this year the statistics show performance against the new Impact Indicator for attainment gaps for looked after children. This indicator includes a change to the definition previously used to monitor the attainment of looked after children and covers children who have been continuously looked after for at least 6 months - those who would be eligible for the pupil premium payment. Data is available at both the national leve and local authourity level. Comparison data with all children will be added at a later date. The full set of statistics is available on the Department for Education website. See also: NCAS analysis of previous statistics and the implications for care leavers http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=213 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=213 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The latest national statistics on Children In Need in England 2010-11 produced by the Department for Education were released on 30 November 2011 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. This publication contains final figures on the numbers of children referred to and assessed by childrens social services. It includes information on the characteristics of children in need and information on children who were the subject of a child protection plan for year ending March 2011.View the statistics in full Contact details Graham KnoxTelephone: 01325 735413Email:graham.knox@education.gsi.gov.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=210 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=210 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Young and Homeless, a study of homeless charities andlocal housing authorities, has found that youth homelessness is rising with nearly half of homeless services and councils reporting an increase in young people seeking help. The report also highlights the difficulty agencies have had responding to this extra demand. The report includes responses to homeless 16 and 17 year olds following the G vs Southwark judgment and partnership working between housing and childrens services. It found that a majority of the local authorities taking part in the survey felt that joint working between Housing and Childrens Services to meet the requirements of the judgment was effective (45%28) or very effective (17%). Many pointed to effective joint assessment and coordinated support for young people under 18, as well as protocols agreed between departments to ensure this happened. However, even amongst local authorities reporting a positive situation a degree of frustration was expressed: Overall it is good but it has taken a long time to get there [and] also there is still some reluctance to accept a duty under s20 [of the Children Act 1989]. (LA, South West) This frustration was echoed by the 1 in 5 local authorities that felt joint working has been neither effective nor ineffective, with several mentioning difficulties in working with Childrens Services and funding constraints holding back effective partnership working. The local authorities that reported joint working to be ineffective (15%) or very ineffective (2%) largely felt this was due to Childrens Services, although it was also reported that the two-tier local authority structure was a barrier to effective working. Read the full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=209 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=209 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT 6 young people from Cambridgeshire have celebrated completing their work experience placements with Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon. The young people supported by the Cambridgeshire 16+ service to access the From Care2Work opportunities were a huge success, guests and staff commented on how well they performed whilst with the hotel. HR Director Katie Muckle has suggested that there may be employment for some of the young people "We are considering some of these people for jobs because if you see someone doing a good job you want to hire them - its like a working interview." Please read the full article here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=208 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=208 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS has been working with other charities through the Refugee Childrens Consortium (RCC) to address the changes in the funding regime for higher education means that some unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) will no longer be able to access financial support to go to university. We have been collecting evidence and are jointly calling for a reversal of the changes to entitlement to student finance and home fees. We have prepared a briefing,which has been sent to the head of admissions at BIS and to Vince Cable. Our overarching recommendation is for "the Regulations [to] be amended once more to ensure that ALL care leavers with leave to remain, including those with in-time applications pending, in England are eligible for home fees and student support regardless of immigration status." The number of young people affected is limited, but this is an area that is a particular concern to local authorities with high number of UASC and of course has a massive impact on individual young people who are unable to fulfill their aspirations. Read the UASC briefing Support our campaign We are always looking for more information and case studies that can support our campaign. If you have evidence of young people who are unable to fulfill their aspirations because of the new restrictions, or are interested in finding out more about the issue, let us know by emailing linda.briheim-crookall@catch-22.org.uk. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=207 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=207 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Miss Macaroon CIC is a not for profit Community Interest Company, which helps young adults (18-21 years old) coming out of Care in Birmingham who are not currentlyin education, employment or training. The programme is designed to give apositive experience of the work place and to gain training and employment through the hand baking and sale of French macaroons. They build their service users skills through the completion of a short course in Basic Food Hygiene, Health and Safety in the Workplace and participants get to experience pastry production in an industrial standard kitchen. They are introducing pre-employability training and opportunities for extra support and counselling as well as mentoring from older care leavers who have recently finished training or are in employment to providea more supported journey into work and greater engagement from our service users. They will be starting a new round of training in the new year and are looking for care leavers (18-21) to be referred to the programme. Contact Rosie Ginday Phone: 07846297665 Email: info@missmacaroon.co.uk http://missmacaroon.co.uk/ http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=204 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=204 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT 100 Days of Care presents 100 diary entries, from 23 children and young people giving their own daily experiences in their own words. Some of the diary authors were living in childrens homes, boarding schools, residential special schools, foster care or secure units, some were disabled, some were care leavers and some were living at home with social care support. The entries describe hobbies, school, learning responsibility, relationships, friendships and quarrels, food and leisure. Many diarists openly share their thoughts as well as what was happening in their lives, some give advice to others in similar situations, and some entries describe the experience of entering the world of work and independent life after care. The entries are a mixture of facts and feelings. Many are very moving, some describe the same events from different viewpoints, and many of the authors include their and hopes as well as describing typical days in their lives. The entries show up both the differences and the many similarities of life in some very different settings. This report is not about any particular issue, problem or proposal it gives 100 insights into the daily lives of children and young people, in their own words. Read the report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=203 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=203 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT This edition of the Department for Educations newsletter for the residential sector combines policy updates, news headlines, young peoples views, opinions, editorials and good practice. Including: The strategy for the secure estate for children and young people in England and Wales Ofsted releasing official statistics on childrens homes Good, bad and getting better: An article by Luke, aged 16 CWDC Learning sets for registered managers Social pedagogy and childrens residential care in England The second issue of In House, the Department for Educations new newsletter for the childrens homes sector has now been published DFE are keen to get feedback and suggestions for In House so do email them at reply.newsletter@education.gsi.gov.uk . You can also email this address if you would like to be notified when new issues of In House are published. The latest edition of In House can found on the DFE website http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=202 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=202 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ofsted has published the outcomes of the 2011 annual childrens services assessments for local authorities across England. It shows that the majority of authorities are providing good or better childrens services, with 28 authorities providing excellent services for children in their area, eight more than last year. This year 25 authorities have improved their overall performance, with 11 improving from performing adequately to performing well. More information is available here: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/news/majority-of-local-authorities-are-providing-good-services-for-local-children-and-young-people-0?news=18113 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=201 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=201 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The student loans company have launched a section of the Student Room website which will give users the latest news, advice and tools for all students, including those considering going to university in 2012/13. Students and prospective students should visit: www.thestudentroom.co.uk/studentfinance They are also running Student Finance England ‘surgeries on our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter, answering queries from prospective and current students and those that support them. Students can follow Student Finance England at facebook.com/SFEngland and twitter.com/sf_england to take part in student finance surgeries. Student Finance England customer advisers will be answering queries from 12-4pm on Monday 14 November. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=200 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=200 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT VSH newsletter for Autumn term has been published - in it you can read about the power of data and how the implementation of the 16-19 year old bursary is going as well as lots of other resources relating to the education support for looked after children and care leavers. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=199 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=199 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT ANV have done a survey to see what different children in care councils (CiCC) are doing and to help share good practice. The report starts to build a national picture of the current position of Children in Care Councils and maps the strengths and weaknesses of CiCCs across the country and monitors their progress and development. This report identifies good practice that developing CiCCs can use to improve their function and impact on services. It also highlights common challenges faced by CiCCs who may be struggling to achieve growth and clear purpose. CiCC regional meetings - round 2 The dates and times for the second round are: West Midlands, Birmingham- Thursday 10 November, 6-8pm London- Thursday 24 November, 5.30-7.30pm North West, Manchester- Thursday 1 December, 5.30-7.30pm North East, Newcastle- Thursday 15 December, 5.30-7.30pm East, Cambridge- Saturday 7 January, 2.30-4.30pm (TBC) Yorks and Humber, Leeds- Wednesday 25 January, 5.30-7.30 South West, Taunton- Wednesday 15 February, 2.30-4.30pm East Midlands, Derby- Thursday 16 February, 2.30-4.30pm South East- Wednesday 21 March, 5.30-7.30pm For more information please go to the event calendar for more details on the above events http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=198 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=198 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT A 5 day programme was offered by St Helens Young Persons team in partnership with members from the local chamber of commerce to inform young people about the opportunities available within the area and also outline what training and skills employers are looking for from potential candidates. The programme was aimed at young people over the age of 16yrs within the borough who were described as ‘hard to reach and included; why getting a job is important, the sorts of jobs and careers the young people wanted, what sort of lifestyle they would like and the type of jobs that will help them achieve this. The programme included visits to local work places that allowed the young people to see how they operate and ended with a day that incorporated career coaching, planning what they would need to do next to get the sort of job they wanted, and some of the routes available. Of the young people that attended all had some involvement in each of the activity days. 70% reported how they had benefitted from being on the programme and how the session had helped them gain awareness about their future career options. 100% reported how they have a better understanding of the skills needed for work. To read more about the programme and the evaluation click on the link:http://www.leavingcare.org/admin/uploads/6d9954587d6cd84462e76102d88dd28e.pdf For other examples of good practice, information or guidance to help support care leavers visit the resources page of our website at: http://www.leavingcare.org/?page_ID=40 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=196 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=196 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Are you a care leaver who would like to learn more about policy and communications work in a charity, gain experience and develop new skills? NCAS are looking to recruit a volunteer Policy and Communications Intern, for three months initially, working with us in our Old Street office 1-2 days a week. We are able to pay travel and expenses and you will be working with one of our policy managers to develop the website, write news articles, research policy and practice information relating to leaving care, summarise government policy for young people and workers. This would be a great opportunity for a student wanting to build up work experience whilst studying, or someone who wants to volunteer part time to develop new skills for their CV. To find out more about the role and how to apply read the job description and person specification. Deadline for applications 27 November 2011. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=195 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=195 Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hilton Recruitment Day Wednesday 9th November 2011 The Springboard Charity in conjunction with North London Job Centre District is running a Hospitality programme. This is a hands on approach to give 18-24 unemployed young people who live in Camden, Islington, Haringey, Westminster, Barnet, Kensington and Chelsea, Enfield who want to work in hotels. This is the fastest way into employment. There will be no online application this is an opportunity to go directly into work, perhaps via a short work taster or work trial. Jobs Available Entry level positions for people who want a career in hospitality and catering Who is eligible? 18-24 years old Unemployed Claiming Job Seekers Allowance Must live in one of the following boroughs Camden, Islington, Haringey, Westminster, Barnet, Kensington & Chelsea, Enfield How to Apply Speak to your Jobcentre Plus Advisor and ask to be referred to Opportunity STM 42135 for the North London District Hospitality Programme and send your CV ASAP to racheln@springboarduk.org.uk OR Send CV to racheln@springboarduk.org.uk quoting reference STM 42135 in subject line. You must include your Job Centre contact details name and telephone number. Please add your date of birth for ID purposes only. Process to apply to the Hospitality Programme Once CV has been received, Springboard will contact you to complete a short telephone pre screening You will then be invited to attend the Assessment Day at Hilton Docklands on the 9th November 2011. If you do require any more information, please do contact Rachel as soon as possible on 0207 395 9499. Information can be found here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=194 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=194 Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The DWP has published guidance on the exemptions to the Shared Accommodation Rate extension. The Local Housing Allowance rules in Housing Benefit currently restrict the level of help for single people aged under 25 who live on their own to the shared accommodation rate.From January 2012the age threshold will be increased to those aged under 35. Care leavers are exempt from the shared room rate until 22 - this exemption has not changed. Two further exemptions have been introduced at the same time but these are only for those aged 25 and over. 1. The first exemption is for those who have spent at least three months in a hostel or hostels for the rehabilitation or resettlement of homeless people. 2.The second new exemption is for those ex-offenders who are being managed under active multi-agency management, within the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), to be rehabilitated back into the community. This exemption will apply to those claimants who might present a risk of causing serious harm to the public. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=192 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=192 Fri, 4 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS have drawn on evidence from across the sector to inform their response to Ofsted proposals for inspecting children in care services. A strong message in our response is that NCAS and representatives from the sector strongly disagree with the proposal to inspect a sample of local authorities each year and the response outlines our concerns. Read our full response http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=193 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=193 Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Consumer Focus, has published a report based on NCAS peer research model looking at what happens when young people leaving care access public services for the first time to coincides with National Care Leavers Week 26 October - 2 November. During our research, Consumer Focus, with the National Care Advisory Service (NCAS), involved care leavers as experts in order to identify their key drivers and barriers when trying to access public services. At first sight the findings are not unusual. Care leavers value the same drivers of customer service as other consumers. However, the findings reveal issues that are particularly important to care leavers. In particular how ‘soft customer service issues can become critical barriers for this group of service users. Our report recommends a greater focus on improving customer service; delivering greater personalisation and support for care leavers; and providing greater consumer education before care leavers become independent. For more information read: Summary report Full report Consumer focus press release about the report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=186 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=186 Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT To kick start a national debate on how to improve services for children in care the Department for Education (DFE) published local authority performance tables this week. They have also posted a series of questions on Facebook. For those children who never find a permanent family, the transition out of care at 18 can be difficult. Leaving care can feel like a cliff edge, with support pulled away and a shaky transition to adult services. We want to look at best practice in meeting the needs of children leaving care, such as improving access to appropriate accommodation and ensuring the welfare system supports care leavers to find training and employment. Wed like to hear your thoughts on what a better package of support for care leavers would look like. Go to the DFE facebook page to make your contribution to the debate. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=205 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=205 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Four Agency Supported Lodings Project was a partnership project involving NCAS, the Fostering Network, DepaulUK and YMCA England and was funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government. The aim of the project was to raise the profile of the Supported Lodgings and to promote learning and development and good practice within the sector. Outputs of the four agency project The activities that the four agency project undertook were; To facilitate the development of 4 new forums in the regions of England where they did not previously exist. To produce a data baseof Supported Lodgings projects. To produce a Good Practice Guide. To produce a suite of Learning and Development modules for schemes to prepare hosts/carers for working and supporting young people in transition. To produce a guide to benefits, tax and insurance. All thesefree productsare available on the websitewww.fostering.net/supported-lodgings The future There is still a great deal of work to do to sustain and further develop the Supported lodgings sector In particular the financial framework for supported lodgings is still too complicated and does not recognise the great social benefit provided by households who accommodate vulnerable young people in their homes further work needs to be done with central government to lobby for improved and simplified tax and benefit arrangements. A briefing has been prepared outlining the issues and calling for immediate changes to improve the system. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=197 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=197 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT A report by Northamptonshire Local Safeguarding Children Board into the case of a 17-year old care leaver who died from an overdose after moving from another authority to live with her parents has made a series of recommendations to improve support. Recommendations include a revision of the National Interauthority arrangements for care leavers to expand to include Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The case review noted that her vulnerability as a care leaver was not fully identified and that despite a notification from the authority responsible for her as a care leaver that she had moved to the area "Information about Tammys case was not recorded straight away by Northamptonshire chidlrens social care. As a result, when she took an overdose in early 2010, her vulnerability as a care leaver was not fully identified." Specifically the report highlighted how there was a lack of clarity around how to support care leavers that move between the countries of the UK: "Tammy had been a child in care in XXX and was eligible for continuing support through Leaving Care legislation . There was a lack of knowledge of the policy and guidance which should apply both by XXX and Northamptonshire. The existing legislation lacks clarity about arrangements between XXX and England a national recommendation has been made that this should be resolved. Specialist knowledge about leaving care and management and oversight of decision-making was lacking and this must be in place." Moreover, the report suggested that Tammy should have been allocated a dedicated worker after a suicide attempt - "the social care assessment raised issues about Tammys vulnerability and her lack of support at home but she was not allocated a social worker locally to support her as a child in need. For vulnerable young people full consideration needs to be given as to how they are to be protected from harm and supported." "Providing her with a duty services in social care did not meet her need for a dedicated worker. Vulnerable people such as a care leavers need a targeted approach and the opportunity to form a relationship with an allocated worker." Download and read the report below: Executive summary of serious case review Overview of serious case review http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=191 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=191 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Today is the Care Leavers Week National Conference. The NCAS National Manager, Martin Hazlehurst is one of the speakers. He will be telling the conference about our From Care2Work project and what it is doing to improve the employability of care leavers and provide work opportunities to young people. In his speech at the National Care Leavers Week conference the Minister for Children, Tim Laughton has praised the NCAS From Care2Work programme and encouraged local authorities to join our Benchmarking Forum. The Forum is currently helping 47 local authorities improve the services that care leavers receive. If you want to know more about the Forum contact Sue Hobbs at sue.hobbs@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=190 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=190 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Catch22, NCAS and A National Voice are today (1 Nov) launching Care Less Lives. The book has been written by Professor Mike Stein and tells the story of the rights movement of young people in care in England. It relates how, from 1973, young people came together to talk about their care, support each other and campaign to improve their lives in care. It costs 10 and can be bought by following this link http://www.leavingcare.org/?page_ID=100083 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=189 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=189 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS has responded to the Department for Education consultation around the Care to Learn scheme, the funding for child care for young people in education, that closed on 28 October 2011. The Government was proposing four options of restricting the scheme. In our response we set out the particular case for ensuring that young mothers who are looked after or care leavers are supported. Summary of NCAS response Looked after children and care leavers are not only more likely than their peers to have children at a young age, they are also more likely to experience educational disruptions, have poorer educational outcomes, and require support to return to education to get basic qualifications or complete their education as they get older. Care to Learn is an important part of the state support that young people leaving care who are also parents can receive to allow them to return to education restricting this support would disadvantage this very vulnerable group of young people even further. The government has already recognised the importance of ensuring that access to initiatives to support educational achievements among vulnerable groups is guaranteed for young people in and leaving care. Looked after children and care leavers automatically qualify for the pupil premium and 16-19 Bursary. Similar guarantees should be made in relation to Care to Learn. Moreover, over the past ten years, since the introduction of the Children Leaving Care Act 2000, it has been recognised that care leavers need to be supported for longer, to mirror the support that other young people receive from their families. From April this year care leavers wishing to pursue education and training can return to ask their local authority for assistance up until the age of 25. To ensure consistency, other policies aimed at ensuring access to education and training for vulnerable young people, such as Care to Learn, should align with this new legislation and support care leavers until age 25. Read the full NCAS response to the Care to Learn consultation. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=187 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=187 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT New performance tables released today show huge variation in how well local authorities are looking after the children in their care. The Government has published the tables for the first time ranking every local authority in England on key issues, including leaving care. The tables draw on national indicator data submitted over the past three years and can be a useful to give a flavour of performance in a particular area. Whats behind the numbers? However, as we know that the statistics only look at a limited cohort of young people, it will be important that local authorities investigate what lies behind the numbers. It is essential to understand the extent to which the figures reflect performance across services, with young people of all ages and in all circumstances and to further explore the barriers to improving outcomes. Support to improve performance For local authorities wanting to improve their performance in and around leaving care the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum can provide peer-to-peer support and shares positive practice from across the country. Email ncas@catch-22.org.uk to find out more. From Care2Work can help you look at how to improve employment, training and employment outcomes in your local authority. We are able to offer 20 local authorities free intensive personalised support to work towards the From Care2work Quality Mark. Email fc2w@ctch-22.org.uk to find out more. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=188 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=188 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT To mark National Care Leavers Week, the Fostering Network, YMCA England, Depaul UK and the National Care Advisory Service (NCAS) are calling on the Government to invest in supported lodgings schemes for young people leaving care. The charities are concerned the availability of supported lodgings may be falling at a crucial time and are writing to the Government to raise the issue. Many care leavers are not ready for independent living and supported lodging schemes provide them with accommodation, often within a family home, so they can find the stability they need to make a successful transition to adult life. Through supported lodgings a young person has their own room and shares the rest of the facilities with the family or householder. In April changes to the tax system came into force reducing the income of people who provide supported lodgings for care leavers. Previously, their unique role was recognised in tax allowances for their time and expenses but now they are assessed like people who rent rooms commercially. The charities are concerned and want the government to reverse the tax changes because the schemes are essential for providing family-based support to young people to develop their confidence and ability to live independently. Judy Walsh, membership support consultant at the Fostering Network, said: Supported lodgings provide vulnerable young people who cannot live with their families with a much-needed safe place to live. They get a huge amount of practical and emotional support from their hosts at what can be an extremely challenging time in their lives. It is very disappointing that the tax system is working against the people who provide supported lodgings and disregards the vital role they play in helping these young people. We are strongly urging the Government to reverse its decision. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=185 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=185 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A good practice guidance for organisations currently delivering, or planning to deliver, supported lodgings, the final product of the Four Agency Supported Lodgings Project, has been published. This guide intends to capture and share good practice and to support reflection, discussion and decision making focused on improving outcomes for young people. We have not provided a set of standards, but pulled together themes from the wide range of existing practice and resources. The guide is aimed at: organisations currently delivering Supported Lodgings to reflect on and develop their practice those considering developing new Supported Lodgings services to design those services commissioners of Supported Lodgings to design service specifications, selection processes and contract monitoring and management arrangements. This Good Practice Guide is one part of the suite of resources produced by the Four Agency Supported Lodgings Project which was funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government from April 2010- May 2011. The organisations involved were the Fostering Network, Depaul UK, YMCA England and the National Care Advisory Service. Download the guide or go to the Four Agency Supported Lodgings Project website for more information http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=183 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=183 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Who Cares? Trust are looking for views on what the recent changes to further and higher education mean for looked after children and care leavers. They "want to tell the Government exactly what these changes mean for looked after children and care leavers and… need your views Start the young peoples survey now… Start the professionals survey now… http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=184 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=184 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT As part of national care leavers week, 26 October -2nd November ‘Positive Message Balloon Release is launched by The National Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum (YPBMF) to give care leavers from all across the country the opportunity to celebrate positive experiences of their time in care. It is aimed to raise the profile and change negative perceptions of young people leaving care. The idea of the day came from the national managers benchmarking forum & young people involved in the YPBMF; this is part of the Catch22s National Care Advisory Service. The 13 local authorities listed below will be releasing up to 100 biodegradable balloons all tagged with positive messages written by care leavers. Bradford - 24th October Middlesbrough - 25th October Stoke on Trent- 25th October Sheffield - 25th October Doncaster - 25th October Surrey -26th October West Sussex - 26th October Wolverhampton - 26th October Devon - 27th October North Lincolnshire -27th October Southend - 1st November Hartlepool -1st November North Somerset -2nd November Find out more and read some of the positive messages from young people. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=182 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=182 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Best practice in transitions to adulthood for care leavers - The Staying Put 18+ and Supported Lodgings agendas North event; 3rd November, Doncaster South event; 7th November, London The event will explore the guidance, policy, Inland Revenue and welfare benefits context for Staying Put 18+ and Supported Lodgings and the implications for services and practice. NLCBMF members have two free places for the event, there is a small charge for non members, more information please see flyer for prices and how to register for these events. Here are our aims and learning objectives and programme for the events. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=181 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=181 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A Charity that helps young care leavers into education, training and jobs has pledged a further 110,000 over the next two years the Northampton Chronicle and Echo reports. The Nene Valley Care Trust (NVCT) hopes the package will support at least half of the 60 to 80 youngsters who will leave care in the county in the next two years. This could include organising apprenticeships with local businesses or a college education. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=180 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=180 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Liverpool Daily Post reports thatmore than 1,300 apprenticeships are set to be created in Liverpool during the next three years. The city council has teamed up with Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool Community College and the Eldonian Group to create the scheme. The project will be particularly aimed at 16-19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (Neet); care leavers; teenage parents; looked after children; young offenders; residents from disadvantaged communities and black and minority ethnic groups. Read more on Liverpool Councils Website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=179 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=179 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Get Into Construction November 2011 The Princes Trust are currently recruiting for - Get Into Construction programme delivered with National Construction College and Reds10. Please find attached a printable recruitment poster here. The course is open to young people between the ages of 18 to 25 who are unemployed and live in one of the Greater London boroughs. Care leavers are also a priority group with The Princes Trust. On the programme young people will gain: CSCS card and a 2 day onsite work-placement (dependent on CSCS pass). Access potential job opportunities. Learn about careers and your prospects within the construction industry. Improve your teamwork, communication, interview skills and your CV at the same time. Receive six months progression support after the programme. N.B. As part of the onsite work placement there will be a mandatory drug and alcohol test for Health and Safety purposes Please see links to Referral Formand OXO Guidelines Please email completed referral forms to mohammed.fatah@princes-trust.org.uk. They are now taking referrals. Please let FC2W know if you are referring people and we can follow this up. This a great opportunity to work with a high level construction training provider who are in the position to access full time work opportunities. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=178 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=178 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT DWP have announced that six demonstration projects are being set up to trial direct payments to Housing Benefit claimants living in social sector housing. The change will come into force under Universal Credit from 2013 and is designed to help claimants make the transition to work and take responsibility for their own finances. Although the majority of claimants renting in the social sector will be responsible for making direct payments to their landlords, vulnerable people and pensioners will continue to have their housing costs paid direct to their landlord. The proposed changes mirror the system already in place for local housing allowance (LHA) claimants in private rented accommodation. Our report What could make the difference: Care leavers and the welfare benefits system found that some young people find it difficult to manage their rent payments and, when LHA is paid straight to them, end up in arrears, threatening their tenancy. Although it is possible within the current system to arrange payments direct to the landlord, if a young person is deemed vulnerable, many leaving care services report that illustrating this can be difficult and a very negative process for the young person. The Projects will also test how to support tenants and landlords on the introduction of direct payments such as offering budgeting advice to tenants and placing a trigger which switches the housing payment to landlords if the tenant gets behind with their rent. It will be important that leaving care services as corporate parents are involved in this process and that any provision of services links with, and complements, support offered to care leavers on housing benefit. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=177 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=177 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT As part From Care2Work we have been considering the barriers to accessing education, training and employment for care leavers. Over the past few months we have been discussing proposals with the Department for Education (DFE), based on feedback from the sector. Many of you have expressed concern about the level of support that is available for care leavers in further and higher education, especially for those young people returning for support after age 21. We have identified three areas of reform that would support care leavers and produced three summary briefing notes: Access to housing benefit and income support through ‘second chance learning Identifying care leavers on benefit application forms Extending financial support for care leavers in higher education We are also currently working with the Refugee Childrens Consortium to seek to revert the changes to tuition fees and student support regulations in England for UASC. If you have case studies of young people affected by the changes to help this work, please email linda.briheim-crookall@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=166 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=166 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked-After Children and Care Leavers will take place at the start of National Care Leavers Week and will focus on the lives and experiences of care leavers. The group provides a fantastic opportunity for those with experience of what it is like to leave care to share this directly with Members of Parliament. The meeting takes place from 17.00 19.00 on 26th October 2011 at Portcullis House (opposite the Houses of Parliament). For further details contact jack.smith@thewhocarestrust.org.uk. The meetings are attended by members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, representatives of voluntary organisations, childcare professionals and people who are currently in care or have past personal experience of the care system. You can find out more about the All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked-After Children and Care Leavers on The Who Cares? Trust website: http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/pages/the-all-party-parliamentary-group-for-looked-after-children-and-care-leavers.html http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=176 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=176 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT New reports from the Childrens society based a three year study exploring advocacy services for disabled children and young people in England. Key messages from the research include: There is a great need for independent advocacy for disabled children and young people. It is a key way of ensuring that their views and wishes are heard. Many children are not receiving these vital services. There are high levels of unmet need. There are huge benefits to advocacy for individual children including raising confidence and self-esteem. Advocacy can also result in significant improvements to services and quality of life. Disabled children and young people highly value advocacy services. The Childrens Society is recommending a number of ways to improve advocacy services for disabled children and young people. Alongside this research the Childrens Society have also published a guide for commissioners of childrens serviceswhich provides ‘at a glance information on the legal framework for the provision of advocacy to children and young people, including those who are looked after, care leavers and those who are children in need. It recommends identifying the children and young people who are eligible for advocacy, integrating the arrangements for commissioning services for them, and providing one point of contact and referral route. Read the full report now or take a look at the report summary. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=174 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=174 Fri, 7 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Kier is recruiting for Construction Team Leader apprenticeships in London. These are excellent opportunities for young people who are looking to gain a management position in the construction industry. Kier are recruiting for motivation and attitude rather than qualifications, though a reasonable level of literacy and numeracy is required. More information can be found in both this flyerand guideas well as the Kier website http://www.insiteatkier.co.uk/apprenticeships Applications can be made by CV to barry.cullen@catch-22.org.uk, if you have any questions please contact Barry on 07545 422606. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=175 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=175 Wed, 5 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The apprenticeship team will be around throughout the event to offer you: Free, impartial advice about future Apprenticeships, jobs and career opportunities 100s of top employers offering Apprenticeships Throughout the day you can: Have a Go at 100s of different skills and its free! Watch talented Showcase performances Watch 1,000 young Competitors from across the globe battling it out to be world champions in 46 skills Competitions Meet employers and recruiters in the Make it Happen area You can visit WorldSkills London 2011 on Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 October 2-5pm Saturday 8 October from 9am-4pm Details on how to register and book are below: Book now at www.worldskillslondon2011.com/visit click on ‘individual registration to qualify for complimentary entry for you, your friends and family. You will need to register online in advance to qualify for complimentary tickets at www.worldskillslondon2011.com/visit http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=172 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=172 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Stigma around mental health has often been identified as a barrier to accessing services and support and YoungMinds would like to explore this further, focussing on the needs and experiences of Looked After Young People. YoungMinds has been awarded some funding to facilitate focus groups and interviews to explore this topic in detail and results will be disseminated to policy makers and professionals within the sector with a view to improving experiences for Looked After Young People. Activities will include: ·Creative focus groups with Looked After Young People .Optional in depth interviews with members of focus groups · Focus groups with Looked After Children social workers · In depth interviews with social workers, foster carers and residential workers charlotte.levene@youngminds.org.uk is currently scoping interest and would like to invite residential child care participation groups to apply to take part in this project. If this is something that the young people in your care might be interested in, please email Charlotte. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=171 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=171 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Data on children in and leaving care covering the last calendar year 2010/11 has just been released (28 September 2011). We have created a statistical briefingthat gives an overview of the figures relating to young peoples transition from care. What the figures show - summary The number of young people in and leaving care has increased. Thus, local authorities have to make increasingly diminishing resources stretch to meet the needs of more young people. The number of young people who are entering care at an older age (16/17) is increasing, meaning local authorities will have to adapt services to meet the needs of late entrants. Government drives to reduce the number of placements and age of leaving care appears to be having a positive impact as fewer young people have more than three placements and more young people leave care at age 18 (rather than 16/17). With changes in legislation and extension of support to young people up until the age of 25 local authorities could now have leaving care duties to almost 80,000 young people (not including ‘qualifying young people) Despite general improvements in university participation for disadvantaged young people nationally, and the introduction of a Higher Education Bursary for care leavers in 2009, the proportion of young people in higher education at 19 has decreased to 6%. A third of young people at 19 are NEET, with a small increase in the proportion not in education, training and employment (NEET) for other reasons than illness and disability from 28% to 29%, mirroring a general increase in NEET figures among disadvantaged young people. Numbers in suitable accommodation has remained stable at 90%, however we have to ensure that we query the definition used for ‘suitable in these statistics. Slight increase in number of young people returning to live with parents or relatives post care. We need to ensure this is because this is the best option for young people and they receive adequate support, not just a response to accommodation shortages. Get an idea of what has changed since last year and how services are developing by reading our statistical briefing http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=169 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=169 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Princes Trust are working with Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust in London to offer a course and work experience in the NHS. This opportunity is ONLY available to 16-25 year olds who are currently unemployed and who live in Greater London. A priority will be given to residents who live in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark boroughs. More information and a poster can be found here. If you have any questions please contactMo Fatah on 0207 543 1457. Alternatively you can text ‘NHS to 07908 20105. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=168 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=168 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT "Get Britain Working" is a range of measures introduced by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support people into work, this includes Work Experience. Young people can now do eight weeks of work experience without it affecting their benefits, as long as they get this agreed with their local Jobcentre. Our employer relations manager Barry Cullen has produced a short briefing around you can support your young people to access this. Read the briefing to make sure your young people dont lose out http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=167 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=167 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked-After Children and Care Leavers will take place at the start of National Care Leavers Week and will focus on the lives and experiences of care leavers. The group provides a fantastic opportunity for those with experience of what it is like to leave care to share this directly with Members of Parliament. The meeting takes place from 17.00 19.00 on 26th October 2011 at Portcullis House (opposite the Houses of Parliament). For further details contact jack.smith@thewhocarestrust.org.uk. The meetings are attended by members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, representatives of voluntary organisations, childcare professionals and people who are currently in care or have past personal experience of the care system. You can find out more about the All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked-After Children and Care Leavers on The Who Cares? Trust website: http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/pages/the-all-party-parliamentary-group-for-looked-after-children-and-care-leavers.html http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=165 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=165 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Waltham Forest Council have just launched a Jobs Pledge to help children in care and care leavers find work by providing them with opportunities for work experience, training and mentoring. The pledge outlines a commitment to create work-experience and paid internship opportunities, both within the Council and amongst its contractors and the wider business community. The initiative will target those in Years 10 and 12, as well as helping those that successfully complete a course at University. Every year the Council will be looking to find over 30 Work Experience positions for Year 10 students, around 40 internships for Year 12 students, and 17 Post-University Internships. Children in care and care leavers are also guaranteed priority support and guidance from the careers service to help them find jobs that are linked to their interests. The Employability Pledge includes creating a pool of officers within the Council to act as mentors who can support young people with practice interviews, CV writing and job search training. The Mentors will be sourced from the Councils senior officers and have direct links to the careers service and offer advice and guidance through work placements. The mentors will also receive training to support young people with wider employability issues. The council is aware that many children in care lag behind their peers in terms of being ready for the world of work and gaining meaningful employment and the aim of this pledge is to improve their chances. The Council takes very seriously the fact it holds parental responsibility for this group of vulnerable young people and is determined to do its best by them, said Cllr Clyde Loakes, Cabinet Member for Environment who supported this initiative. Its important to give children that the authority cares for a helping hand in getting out into the wider world and securing a job. The Pledge was officially launched on 20 September 2011 at an event that was attended by local authority officers, contractors and care leavers. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=163 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=163 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS is responding to the Ofsted consultation on inspections of local authority childrens services, focussing on issues for older looked after children and care leavers. We have created a short survey on the current Ofsted inspection proposals for childrens services and the responses we receive will inform a written response to the consultation. The survey gives information about what the proposals are in relation to older LAC and care leavers. For those of you who are not planning to do your own response or wish to input into the NCAS response please complete this quick survey - all responses will be anonymised. The survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LX7JMVM Our full written response will be circulated and on our website in October http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=162 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=162 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Get your employability work with care leavers recognised by applying now and become one of the first local authorities or employers recognised under the new scheme. Local authorities who have signed up to Phase 2 of From Care2Work can also apply to be one of 20 local authorities to get free support and a working towards the From Care2Work Quality Mark award. More details will be sent to all nominated From Care2Work leads next week. How was the Quality Mark designed? The criteria were developed by the From Care2Work team in partnership with the NCAS Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum to define what qualityopportunities include. The revised criteria capture best practice, links tostatutory guidanceand anyonecan use the standards within the Quality Mark to ensure they offer the best possible experience of the world of work. Who can apply? The From Care2Work Quality Mark recognises the commitment of local authorities and employers who invest time to provide quality opportunitiesfor care leavers. Find out whocurrently holdsa QualityMark. Find out who were awarded the Quality Mark before it was revised. Local Authoritieswho are committed to improving the employability opportunities for care leavers, offered ‘in-house or in partnership with local and national employers can apply. Toapply submit an application form along with a copy of the From Care2Work Employability Support Workplan that demonstrates your commitment to improving the employability skills of care leavers locally. Submitting the Employability Support Workplan with the application form removes the need to provide further supporting evidence. Employerswho are linked to their local leaving care services and offer opportunities to care leavers to develop their experience of the world of work are encouraged to apply for assessment. Go to our Quality Mark pages for more details. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=164 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=164 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A freedom of information request investigation has found that over a third of councils no longer own or run mainstream childrens homes. The findings also show closures over the last few years. You can use their interactive map to find out what is happening in your local area, and read the detailed survey findings in their online article. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=161 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=161 Thu, 1 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The recent rise in the number of young people from the care system going on to university could come to an abrupt halt as a result of government cuts and sharply increased tuition fees, a leading researcher has warned in report published by the Institute of Education. The proportion of care-leavers entering higher education has risen from roughly 1 in 100 a decade ago to almost 1 in 10 today. This compares with around 40 per cent of all young people. The number of care-leavers going on to higher education is still relatively small nearly 500 are expected to start degree courses in England this autumn. Professor Jackson raises concerns about increased tuition fees and in the current financial climate " believes local authorities will have to work very hard to persuade young people in care that it is still worth studying for a degree… If they have a constant struggle to keep their heads above water they risk getting exhausted and dropping out. Considering what an exceptional achievement it is for a young person from care to get to university in the first place that would be incredibly sad". The new report analyses the that the 2005 study, Going to University from Care, has had on central and local government policies and on universities provision for care leavers. More information is available: http://www.ioe.ac.uk/newsEvents/55908.html The impact report looking at the 2005 research study, By Degrees: From Care to universtity is available here: . http://www.ioe.ac.uk/IOE_RD_A4_UniFC_0711_final_1.3.pdf The original 2005 study is available here: http://www.leavingcare.org/data/tmp/3290-7051.pdf http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=159 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=159 Thu, 1 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Two universities have worked together to create Go Further Go Higher: a guide to post-16 opportunities for young people in care. The booklet provides extensive information on all aspects of education, training, finance and qualifications. The booklet explains the different options available to both post-16 and post-18 young people who are in care. Information on how to handle finances, what levels of education you can progress to with which qualifications and the different routes into work or further study are all covered in the booklet. see the guide here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/content/1/c6/11/19/88/GoFGoH%20pdf.pdf. Further information is available here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2011/care-leavers-go-further-and-higher.html http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=152 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=152 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Health and Social Care Bill sets out a new responsibility for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop quality standards for social care. As part of the preparation for taking on this new role, the Department of Health has asked NICE to develop two pilot quality standards for social care. NICE is now seeking to recruit chairs for two Topic Expert Groups to support the pilots. Details below: Care of people with dementia Health and wellbeing of looked-after children The deadline for applications is 9 September 2011 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=151 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=151 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following a Government Review there are now plans to replace both the present Childrens Rights Director for England and the Childrens Commissioner for England with a neworganisation called the Office of the Childrens Commissioner for England. Young people can respond to this consultation via an online survey see www.rights4me.org Click Take a survey Select The New Office of the Childrens Commissioner for England Enter your username: FutureCC and password: Rights4me Or you can reply via: the Department for Educations Young Peoples Guide and online response form. This is available from here: https://www.rights4me.org/newsView.cfm?newsID=117 Closing date: 25 September http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=150 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=150 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT This consultation seeks views on options for the future of the Care to Learn childcare support scheme for young parents in education or training in England from September 2012. It is aimed at young parents, young people, parents, schools, colleges, work-based training providers and other stakeholders. http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetails&consultationId=1767&external=no&menu=1 Closing Date: Friday 28 October 2011 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=160 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=160 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The August 2011 edition of Keynotes, the magazine for the leaving care world, says goodbye to a number of staff within NCAS, gives an update from the From Care2Work Team and highlights new products. This month we say goodbye to a number of NCAS staff. Ourtwo NCAS traineesare both leavingfor University - we wish them every success! Jess has worked in our London office and leading on our social media work with Twitter and supporting our Big Lottery Corporate parenting project. Jenny has been working on the From Care2Work project and has contributed to all aspects of the project including chairing a successful ETE event in the North West and co-coordinating the virtual enquiries network. We also say goodbye to Andy Carter who has done great work as Benchmarking projects managersupporting the 46 local authorities who are members to improve outcomes for young people leaving care We also have other news and recent publications around: Education, training and employment Accommodation Young people with additional support needs Heath and Well-being Fostering and Residential Care Participation and Advocacy Inspection and social service reforms Opportunities Events other the next month coming up Read the full edition of August 2011 eKeynotes. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=149 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=149 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The From Care2Work August 2011 bulletin has been now published. Featuring policy news, changes to financial support for further and higher education, new tools to help plan employability in your local authority and examples of employability in action from Ealing, Salford, and the Marriott in Manchester.To read all the latest newsclick here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=148 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=148 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Galvins Chance programme is now recruiting for keen individuals who are aged 18-24 year olds who are interested in a career in the hospitality industry, working in front of house roles within high end hotels and restaurants. This programme is aimed at young people who are not currently in employment, education or training and who ideally live in zones 1-4 or those who are willing to travel to Central London. See the brochure for more information and the experiences of successful graduates. Skills Gained from Galvins Chance Programme 2011 Pre-employment hospitality focussed training Learn about careers and your prospects within the industry Meet potential employers and complete work placements with a view to fulfilling vacancies Support and expert advice given from the industry Further training within the industry ability to study for an apprenticeship Who is eligible? You need to be aged 18-24, unemployed and ideally live in London Zones 1-4 or can travel to Central London. You are claiming benefits (although candidates that are not will also be considered) You are not in education or training You are a care leaver Contact Barry Cullen to learn more Barry.Cullen@catch-22.org.uk 07545 422606 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=147 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=147 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT This data pack analyses in detail the attainment outcomes of looked after children when set against other aspects of their lives such as placement stability, education placement, progression, special educational needs, exclusions and absence. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=146 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=146 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Researchers at the University of Derby have published Careers Work with Young People: Collapse or Transition? The report shows significant cuts to careers services, and raises concerns about their impact on the careers profession and the lack of a national transitional plan for managing the change. It finds that of 144 local authorities surveyed only 15 will maintain substantial universal careers service. 12 councils are identified as making extreme cuts to Connexions services and at least 49 as reducing or removing the universal careers element of the Connexions service. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=145 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=145 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The government has launched a consultation on preventing suicides. One of the six areas for action set out in the consultation is reducing the chance of suicide in high-risk groups. The consultation identifies children and young people, in particular those who are looked-after or care leavers, as being a particularly vulnerable group and high risk group. According to the document, an analysis of findings from serious case reviews suggested that in more than half of cases which involve suicide there was recorded evidence of some prior concerns or a history of abuse and neglect. The consultation deadline is 11 October. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=144 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=144 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Helena Kennedy Foundation is looking for 10 care leavers to join our THINKBIG Care Leavers programme starting in September 2011. We are looking for students who live in care, who are entering their final year of further education this autumn, and want to attend higher education in Autumn 2012. The Foundation exists to overcome social injustice by providing financial bursaries, mentoring and support to disadvantaged students from the further and adult education sectors, enabling them to complete their studies in higher education and move on successfully into employment. HKF understands the significant challenges some care leavers can face in finding suitable advice and guidance to apply to University. This project will support students to navigate the UCAS application process and provide advice on accessing student support. In addition successful participants will gain access to ongoing advice, training workshops to improve the students personal and professional skills, and a 1500 bursary to aid their studies. The deadline for applications to the THINKBIG Care Leavers Programme is Tuesday 30th August 2011. If you work with care leavers we would be grateful if you could bring this project to their attention and encourage them to apply before the deadline. Application forms are available to download below. For more information on the aims and the activities of the program please download the application form and guidance notes available here; http://www.hkf.org.uk/about_news_detail.php?id=68. The documents outline the eligibility criteria and provides advice on submitting an application form. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting an application form. Please note applications from students not living in care will not be accepted. Non care leavers can apply for HKFs general bursaries; http://www.hkf.org.uk/awards.php. Applications for the 2012 HKF Bursary Awards will open in January 2012. If you need any further information about this program or Helena Kennedy Foundation please do not hesitate to contact us on 0207 729 4584 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=143 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=143 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Fostering Network has launched a new campaign to ensure foster carers are not worse off under Government plans for welfare reform and the introduction of the new Universal Credit. The Fostering Network is concerned the proposals would leave foster carers unfairly out of pocket at a time when many foster carers are unpaid and could not afford to foster if they did not receive financial support through the welfare system. Read more about The Fostering Networks concerns and download their parliamentary briefing. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=142 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=142 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT As part of their statutory responsibilities local authorities must ensure care leavers get information, advice and guidance to develop their career prospects, yet across the country many Connexions teams who have provided this in the past are closing. Local authority leaving care services may increasingly have to deliver career planning and advice in-house to meet the statutory guidance requirements. Thisnew research from University of Derby may be of interest to both employability specialists and leaving care managers alike when planning how support with education, training and employment is delivered to care leavers. Whats there Thesynthesis reportprovides an insight into key facts, impact statements, strategies, tools and tips that can be used as a basis for impact assessment and continuous development for organisations, managers and practitioners operating within a youth policy context. This report also sets the context for our newonline professional resourcedesigned to make available international and national research evidence on the impact of careers and guidance-related interventions. The online resource has been designed to deliver a flexible and adaptable set of materials, incoporating an interactive hyperlink approach to allow users to tap into the materials suitable to their individual needs. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=141 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=141 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The report shows that there has been a rise in the number of homeless young people. The latest estimate shows 80,000 16-25 year olds a year experiencing homelessness in the UK. This is an increase of around 5,000 since the last national estimate was published in 2008. The report sets out a number of steps that voluntary organisations, the government and local authorities should work together to take in order to end youth homelessness. These include: Greater provision of specialist services for young people that meet their distinct needs, including: Respite accommodation for those experiencing problems at home Emergency accommodation suitable for young people Specialist transitional accommodation for young people, such as foyers Low cost independent accommodation for young people in education or low paid work Specialist young peoples health services, including those provided by the voluntary sector All vulnerable homeless young people should have a defined pathway to independent living, similar to the current support given to young people leaving care. They should have access to a support worker who ensures that statutory and non-statutory services work with each other effectively to ensure a smooth and cost-efficient service for the young person. ‘Social lettings agencies whereby councils act as brokers between landlords and homeless young peopleshould be available in all areas to ensure there is an adequate supply of decent and affordable private rented sector accommodation. Greater provision of budgeting and tenancy training should be available in homelessness services, youth centres, and schools to better prepare young people for independent living. Many young people have never lived alone before, making them particularly vulnerable to tenancy failure, but research shows they are the least likely age group to receive tenancy support. Tenancy support resources should be therefore rebalanced to give young people greater access, avoiding future costs of tenancy failures. Family mediation and peer-to-peer parenting schemes should be available in all areas to prevent family breakdown and youth homelessness. The report can be accessed via: www.centrepoint.org.uk/yorkresearch2011 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=139 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=139 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The July 2011 edition of E- Keynotes, monthly update promotes the latest news and updates within leaving care sector. This month there are a lot of resources including the Supported Lodgings conference report and Journey to work booklet. Read the July E-keynotes here. To sign up to monthly updates please register here: http://leavingcare.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5c9a0bfa9b06a75f21c1181f4&id=c7e6ab5abe http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=137 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=137 Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT For the past year, The Who Cares? Trust has been working with a group of young people in and from care on ‘Dont Write Us Off, a multimedia campaign which aims to challenge negative stereotypes about children in care. The group used film, photography, blogs, created a whole magazine and a campaign website; they also targeted MPs and policy makers to convey the truth of their experiences. They aimed high and proved very visibly that young people in care can and do achieve! As well as fantastic personal successes for those involved, the young peoples work has had excellent feedback from professionals and young people right across the UK from Glasgow to Bath to London. They also featured prominently in the London Metro and in Social Work Now magazine. Get involved! Thanks to support from The Department for Education, we are able to extend this project for a further two years and involve even more young people in the campaign. We want to work with you to support young people to get their voices heard in as many ways as possible and make a positive difference to their lives and the lives of other children in care. For more information on how we can support young people in care to: put their views across to MPs, help us write and design content for Who Cares? Magazine, blog about their experiences in care, train professionals in the sector, get media training and much more, please contact Emma Corbett, Participation Officer at The Who Cares? Trust: emma.corbett@thewhocarestrust.org.uk or 020 7017 8900. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=135 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=135 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT NorthCLASS a forum for those in higher education in the North of England that provide outreach programmes and support to care leavers have compiled an information booklet for looked after children and care leavers, following a successful launch of a similar document in the Midlands. The document details over 30 institutions in the North of England that provide H.E courses (i.e. Universities and Colleges). It lists the individual support that each institution offers and provides a generic summary of financial support available. The document will be updated and distributed three or four times a year to ensure that it is up to date. The next edition is planned for November. It is aimed at both care leavers themselves and any staff that provide guidance to LAYP or care leavers in terms of choosing an institution. It is hoped that it will make comparisons of support available easy. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=134 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=134 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The four agency supported lodgings project, led by Fostering Network, NCAS, DepaulUK andYMCA,aimed to give more young people the opportunity to live in supported lodgings in England and to make the experience a positive one for them by raising the profile of the supported lodgings model and promoting learning and development in the sector. The project culminated in a national conference in May and a report summarising the work of the project and the lessons from the conference has now been published. It includes examples of good practice, feedback from practioners and young people and a series of recommendation for future work in the sector. Our recommendations include: Local authorities should recognise the flexibility of Supported Lodgings as a housing option for young people and jointly commission Supported Lodgings schemes between childrens services and housing options/housing support based on young peoples pathways as opposed to their looked after/leaving care or youth homelessness status More research into funding cuts are affecting accommodation provision for homeless young people and young people in and leaving care, including Supported Lodgings schemes, should be commissioned A national umbrella body should be established to represent the sector facilitate national networking and information share information sharing, support providers to develop quality services. Further work should be done with central government to lobby for improved and simplified tax and benefit arrangements as they relate to Supported Lodgings hosts/carers. Young people in Supported Lodgings provision should be fully engaged shaping future developments in the sector. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=133 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=133 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new joint study by the University of York and theUniversity of Bristol has investigated whether the UK should adopt a continental European approach to training professionals who work with looked after children.Staff working in childrens residential homes throughout Europe are often much better trained than in England with graduate qualifications in Social Pedagogy, whereas we rely mainly on vocational NVQ-level training. The last government felt that educational, employment and other prospects for children leaving care were worse than on the Continent and that these might be improved if we adopted a Social Pedagogy model. The research project: compared the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people placed in 18 homes served by social pedagogues, with those for children in 12 comparison homes which were not investigated the factors that maximised the likelihood of successful adoption of a pedagogic approach and lessons learned during the course of the pilot programme explored childrens, pedagogues and staff views on their experience of living and working in homes which employ social pedagogues. To read the results of this work please go to: http://php.york.ac.uk/inst/spru/pubs/2050/ http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=132 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=132 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Funded by the West of Scotland Wider Access Forum this leaflet advice young people from care about higher education institutions in Scotland . Each of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the leaflet are committed to supporting looked after young people and care leavers who are thinking about applying or have recently applied to university. The leaflet gives a named contact for every HEI in Scotland, outlines some of the support available from each university and links to the institutions websites where you can find more information about student life and the support available. Download the leaflet http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=131 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=131 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT This White Paper sets out the governments new approach to delivering public services and sets out five principles for modernising public services. The proposals are intended to improve quality and equality of access: • Increasing choice wherever possible • Public services should be decentralised to the lowest appropriate level • Public services should be open to a range of providers • Ensuring fair access to public services, and • Public services should be accountable to users and to taxpayers. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/open-public-services-white-paper http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=130 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=130 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ofsted have released a consultation document on proposals for the arrangements for local authority childrens services inspections.These inspections will focus on the effectiveness of local authority and partners services for children who may be at risk of harm, including the effectiveness of early identification and early help, and on services for children in care. There is a young persons survey available too.The new inspection arrangements will come into effect from May 2012. The closing date for the consultation is 30 September 2011.http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/arrangements-for-inspection-of-local-authority-childrens-services http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=129 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=129 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Catch22 has published a report calling for local authorities to protect a portion of the Early Intervention Grant for use in supporting teens and their families to help keep young people out of care and out of trouble. Findings include: Family Intervention Projects have supported almost 5,000 families, and evaluation shows a 47% reduction in the number of families experiencing risks associated with poor family functioning and in the number of families involved in anti-social behaviour and crime; and Catch22s intervention model for working with families under stress kept 89% of young people who used the service out of care. The full report is available here: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/Files/Right-Time-Right-Support-Report.pdf?id=aa69e74f-50b8-4f67-bdaf-9f2600f38fb3 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=128 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=128 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Education Committee is announcing an inquiry into The Child Protection System in England and written submissions are invited, addressing the following points: Whether the child protection system allows for effective identification of, and early help to, children at risk of different forms of abuse and exploitation; Factors affecting the quality of decision-making in referral and assessment, and variations across the country; Appropriate thresholds for intervention, including arguments for and against removing children from their families; Whether the child protection policies and practices of non-social work agencies and Government departments assist professionals to work together in the interests of the child. The Committee asks for written submissions in accordance with the guidelines below by noon on Tuesday 4 October 2011. Guidelines can befound on the parliamentary website at: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/witnessguide.pdf http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=108 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=108 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The University of Birmingham is collaborating with Birmingham Local Authority concerning mental health and well-being in care leavers. Please get in touch with the researchers if you have young people who may be interested in attending a a focus groupor completing an onlinequestionnaire Contact researcherJennifer Irabor email: JUI937@bham.ac.uk More information on the proposal is here How to take part The link to do the questionnaire is: http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=36662iitxb Young people wish to do the questionnaire can access it directly online via the link- the researchers will be giving an incentive of 5 per completed questionnaire. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=126 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=126 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT We are currently recruiting for aBenchmarking Forum Projects Manager - details are on the Catch 22 website. The role is available as a fixed term post until 31st March 2011 in the first instance or as a secondment. The details are at www.catch-22.org.uk/Jobs http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=125 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=125 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Wise Up 3 is taking place at City Hall on Saturday 24 September, to help young people in care/ care leavers between 13 and 19, prepare for their future career and higher education choices. They are also holding a session for foster carers to help them assist young people in their care to make their career choices. They would welcome any support for our event and would appreciate it if you could distribute this flyer (pdf) to your networks or include details of our event in your newsletter and/or website. If you would like hard copies of our flyers/ posters please email wiseup3@london.gov.uk. There are only 150 places available so please distribute it soon to ensure that your young people in care have a chance to attend. They would also like to hear from you if your organisation provides career and educational support or volunteering and development opportunities to young people and you would be interested in promoting your services at Wise Up 3. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=124 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=124 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT This document sets out the governments response to Professor Eileen Munros recommendations to reform the child protection system. It outlines the governments intention to work with professionals in order to build a system focused on the needs, views and experiences of vulnerable children. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=121 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=121 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Office for the Childrens Rights Director, based in Ofsted,has published a report into childrens views of independent reviewing offficers (IROs). The responsibilties of IROs were extended in April as the duties in the Care planning guidance and IRO handbook came into force. Children could express their views and experiences of Independent Reviewing Officers through a web survey. Over 1500 children answered the survet and 500 children had told us of things they thought their IRO did really well for them. Around a quarter of the 614saidthey thought their IRO should do better. This is strong support from children for how IROs are doing. The only thing that more than one in 10 of the children answering the question thought their IRO needed to do better was to be more available and easier to contact. Read the full report for more findings. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=123 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=123 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thinking about what to do after you finish school or college? The Key Dates and Post 16 Options is a guide for young people that includes information about the different ways you can gain qualifications and has tips and advice on finding work. For those wanting to volunteer or travel as part of a gap year it has information on those options as well. Based on an academic year the guide begins in September and lets you know and what is happening in each term and what you need to do so you dont miss those all important deadlines that keep your options open. To check out the guide just click on the link Key Dates and Post 16 Options. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=119 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=119 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The consultation asks for peoples views on a proposed strategy for the organisation of the under-18 secure estate for the years 2011/12 to 2014/15. It includes: Principles and priorities governing the secure estate Developing enhanced units to better meet the particular needs of young people Reorganising the estate in response to decreasing demand The regime for young people in custody The longer-term future of the secure estate Given the proposal announced for children held on remand to be classed as looked after by councils this consultation is especially pertinent for childrens services. To find out more go to theMinistry of Justice website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=120 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=120 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT TACT has produced a film ‘What foster care taught me. Its a 10 minute film where foster carers, children in care, care leavers and children who foster talk about their experiences and what they have learned. TACThope it conveys a very positive message about fostering and about being in care. Watch the film http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=117 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=117 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The DWP have launched a public consultation on proposed changes to housing benefit in relation to supported accommodation. The consultation seeks views on the Governments proposals to hange the way Housing Benefit helps those living in supported housing within the social and voluntary sector with their rent, where provision for those who need additional support means that they face higher rents. The public consultation applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is aimed primarily at those involved in the commissioning, funding and providing of supported housing. Many young people leaving care may find themselves living in supported accommodation such as hostels, foyers and other provision as they make the transition to adulthood. It is therefore essential that those services who work with this group ensure that their needs are considered. The consultation closes on 9 October. Find out more about the consultation and how to respond on the DWP website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=118 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=118 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Office of the Childrens Commissioner (OCC) published , ‘Where is my Advocate?, the first national scoping study, undertaken with Voice and supported by the National Childrens Advocacy Consortium (NCAC). The work was carried out to establish an accurate picture of the advocacy provision available in England. A literature review was undertaken together with analysis of the information contained in relevant reports, publicity information and records available from local authorities and advocacy providers. Advocacy services can be an important tool for children in care and care leavers to challenge inadequate service provision. The findings of the report suggests: there is a postcode lottery system for children attempting to access advocacy, and; no national strategy exists to ensure the entitlements children have are consistently met across England. The National Childrens Advocacy Consortium will continue to work with Voice to progress this work and develop a much needed blueprint for advocacy provision, with the support of the Office of the Childrens Commissioner by the Spring 2012. Download a copy of the OCC report, ‘Where is my advocate?, at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=116 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=116 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Career Planning Workbook has been developed for professionals wanting to engage young people in a career planning process. While this resource was produced primarily for those working with looked after children and care leavers it can be used by anyone who carries out career planning with young people. The workbook brings into play a four step process starting at ‘Knowing Myself and working through to ‘Planning My Actions. Using a range of exercises it encourage young people to examine their values and interests, identify what talents and skills they have and how these can best be used in the world of work. It shows them how to plan out the next stages of their employability journey, and also explore any obstacles they feel are stopping them from progressing. To view a sample copy click on the link Career Planning Workbook. Copies of the workbook will soon be available to purchase and cost 4 each for individual copies or at the reduced price of 3.00 (plus VAT) for orders of 25 or more. If you wish to pre-order any copies then please send an email to fc2w@catch-22.org.uk and state the numbers you require. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=122 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=122 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT As part of its support and improvement programme for childrens homes, the Department for Education (DFE) has published a newsletter and a data pack that provides in depth analysis of the statistics available to the DFE about young people in residential care. The pack is intended to support local authorities responsible for looked after children, placement commissioners, childrens homes providers and their staff to understand how their work relates to wider national trends. The publication of this pack is intended to inform debate about the place of childrens homes within the range of placement options. Download the pack or contact the DFE for more information. Read more about childrens homes on DFEs dedicated web page and newsletter launched today. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=113 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=113 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS is currently advertising for an employability worker More details are here: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/Jobs/Detail/Senior-Employability-Worker---NCAS Deadline is: 27 July http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=112 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=112 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT One of a series of reports providing the social services workforce with brief, accessible and practice-oriented summaries of published evidence on key topics.Developed through a process of rapid appraisal, Insights seek to highlight the practice implications of research evidence and answer the So what does this mean in practice? question for each topic reviewed.This Insight, written by Dr Claire Baker, Senior Policy Manager, National Care Advisory Service (part of Catch22), examines permanence and stability for disabled looked after children. It was completed in partnership with the Looked After Children Strategic Implementation Group. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=111 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=111 Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The start of the programme is fast approaching, with lots of residentials due to start on 18 July - there are still some places available. The map on the website gives a flavour of where organisations are running NCS, and if anyone is interested they can fill in the qurery form on the website and the project will aim to match these requests to projects asap. More information is here: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/NCS http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=110 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=110 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum facilitates a regular programme of Learning and Development days on current issues for Local Authorities and teams working with care leavers. The next event looks at best practice in accommodating 16 17 year old homeless young people. The event will be run in the south and in the north. After a number of requests, these days have now been opened up to non-members for a small fee. Information on the event and how to book is available here - bookings need to be received by 12th July http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=109 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=109 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum (YPBMF) was formed in 2008 to work alongside the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum. It is made up of young people aged 16 and above from the local authorities who are members of the national forum. Young people work alongside the managers forum to complete a work plan that has been jointly created. The main aim is to help improve services and provide more learning and participation opportunities for young people. The YPBMF decided to look at emergency and temporary accommodation as it is an issue young people have a lot to say about and an area where they would like more information. YPBMF members felt there was a lack of understanding about young people knowing their rights. The guide contains useful information as well as case studies whereyoung people wanted to share theirexperiences. The guide has recommendations for workers and for young people. YPBMF members will be working with other young people in their authority on how to distribute the guide to young people in and leaving care. For further information or to comment on the guide please get in touch with NCAS participation worker Harriet.Guhirwa@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=107 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=107 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ofsted are consulting on proposals to revise the framework for inspection of local authority and voluntary adoption and fostering agencies. Views are sought from anyone affected by adoption or fostering. A children and young persons guide to the consultation has also been published. The closing date for responses is 31 August 2011. More information: Inspection of local authority fostering services and independent fostering agencies Inspection of local authority and voluntary adoption agencies http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=106 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=106 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The YiPPEE research project was a comparative study of young people who have been in state care as children and their post-compulsory education. The final report of the YiPPEE project - Young people from a public care background: pathways to further and higher education in five European countries, which was funded by the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme and ran from January 2008 December 2010 has recently beenpublished. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=105 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=105 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT SOS Childrens Villages, with the support of various partners organised an international conference ‘Quality in Alternative Care. The conference aimed to identify ways to empower children and young adults, to promote the implementation of quality care standards, to promote a platform with networking opportunities and identify changes needed to policy and practice to align them with international frameworks. One of the work plan targets for the Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum (YPBMF) last year was to make links with SOS international Villages as they had meetings with young people from across the world. This resulted in two members of the YPBMF successfully applying for funding from SOS Childrens International Villages to attend The Quality in Alternative Care conference and Pre Care Conference, held in Prague. The two young people from North Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire joined more than 40 young people who were in care from all over the world to share experiences and connect with each other at the pre care conference. Young people opened the main conference with a presentation and drama performance to an audience of over 400 people giving the results of the pre care conference. The young people made clear statement to the participants of the conference making a powerful call to take action. The young people also invited participants to workshops and various presentations that they facilitated. They gave their input and made clear that they want to be heard and contribute to the improvement of alternative care. Two NCAS trainees also gave a presentation about their involvement in the Right2Bcared 4 Project where youth from care backgrounds interviewed their peers about their respective experiences with life in alternative care. Please see http://www.quality-care-conference.org under the results section for more information on the event including pod cast interviews from young people. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=104 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=104 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT National Care Leavers Week 2011 ‘A Day in My Shoes invites all professionals and services who come into contact with care leavers to take time to reflect on the lives that care leavers live and the barriers they have to overcome. As all of our public services continue to face significant financial cuts, every housing support worker, community mental health worker, prison officer, university tutor, jobcentre advisor, constituency MP and personal advisor can have a more positive impact on the lives of the young care leavers who come their way just by taking a moment to ask themselves what must it be like to walk a day in the shoes of a care leaver. There is no cost to intelligent compassion. Events will take place throughout the UK during National Care Leavers Week between 27 October and 2 November 2011 and young care leavers will give unique insights into their experiences through different media. ‘Made in Care a short film made by Voice and The Care leavers Association will be screened at venues throughout the week and personal stories will be revealed through our text project undertaken in partnership Children and Young People Now. Care leavers are invited to take part and more information is available here: www.nationalcareleaversweek.org http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=103 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=103 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT All young people remanded in custody will have to be recognised as looked-after children by local authorities, under draft plansto reduce reoffending and shake up the justice system. Local authorities will also be responsible for covering the custody costs of these young people, introducing a financial incentive for councils to keep young offenders out of custody. The changes were included in the governmentsSentencing and Legal Aid Billintroduced to parliament on June 21 2011. Remand places will only be used where it is necessary to protect the public. Under the plans children would be entitled to care planning while in custody and, if they spend 13 weeks or more on remand, care leaver support encompassing entitlement to financial support and accommodation. Other reforms in the bill include: establishing compliance panels to ensure that young people comply with community sentences expanding mental health liaison services for juveniles currently being piloted in six sites to divert children away from police custody and the courts making the referral order more restorative for young offenders by increasing the training that is given to referral order panel members removing the current restrictions on the repeated use of the order and allowing courts greater flexibility to give a young person who is in court for the first time, and pleads guilty, a conditional discharge as an alternative reforming secure remand for young people so that all children under 18 are treated in the same way for remand purposes, rather than treating 17-year-olds as adults Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said the priority behind the reforms is public protection and cutting crime. ReadCommunity Care article and Children and Young People now article on this http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=102 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=102 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT ITV fixers have been working with 21 year old care leaver Jez Barnshaw from Plymouth. Jez believes that the complete drop of support from social services at the age of 21 for care leavers is unfair and damaging to young people. He decided to take action on this and is currently campaigning for changes to the care system with the help of a short film he has produced with the support of ITV Fixers. He has managed to secure the support of Frank Bruno, Teresa Cooper and Lemn Sissay for his ‘Careless Whispers film all of which have experience of the care system. He appeared on the ITV Westcountry News in May to talk about his project and what he hopes to achieve.The news item can be watched on ITV fixers website. Follow this link to see Jezs campaign actual film, ‘Careless Whispers, which he helped to write, produce and direct, ITV fixers is a national campaign supporting 16-25 year olds to take action on any issue they feel strongly about. What they choose to do is up to them as long as it benefits others. They help young people make films, hold events, create websites, launch campaigns and much more. Check out www.itvfixers.com for more information. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=101 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=101 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The rules for the 16-19 bursary fund, which replaces Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and provides financial assistance to looked after children and care leavers in further education, have now been published. Under the bursary rulesthe most vulnerable young people, including looked after children and care leavers, are eligible for a bursary of at least 1,200 (pro-rata for courses lasting less than 30 weeks a year). Larger bursaries can be paid if the provider considers this necessary to enable the young person to continue in education or training. Details of the bursary fund have now been published on the Young Peoples Learning Agencys website, and includes information for young people, local authorities and learning providers. The Guide to the bursary sets out how the fund will be administered by learning providers (i.e. colleges etc.). Providers are responsible for identifying young people who are eligible for this payment. Local authorities should provide written confirmation of the young persons current or previous looked after status to learning providers to support this. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=100 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=100 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Buttle UK Quality Mark for Care Leavers was launched in 2006 to address the specific challenges that this group of young students face in higher education. In recognition of the success of the scheme Buttle UK won Education and Training Award at the Charity Awards 2011. More than half of the universities in the UK have signed up to the Quality Mark, which recognises the standards of support offered to children leaving care and demands certain commitments from each institution. Both Labour and Coalition governments have supported this programme across all 4 nations and the Office for Fair Access now recognises care leavers as a distinct group with specific needs. If you are working with care leavers planning to go to university make sure that you look at what is on offer from those institutions that have the quality mark. Go to the Buttle UK Quality markpages to find out more. Buttle UK also provide financial support to individual young people through its various grant programmes http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=99 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=99 Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Marriott Hotels in Manchester and From Care2Work have joined together to offer care leavers in Greater Manchester a positive experience of the workplace. For 8 care leavers with an interest in hospitality and catering, travel and tourism or leisure management, the project will offer a 4 week workplace experience that will offer an insight into working in this industry. See the document attached for more information about the placements and how to apply for this exciting opportunity http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=98 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=98 Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new report shows that young people want more regular support from social workers and be listened to more. The Office for the Childrens Rightss Director (OFCD) has published a report with Messages for Munro from young people to inform the consultation on the reform of social work. The survey that informed the report found that: only 50 per cent of looked-after children felt their social worker or caseworker took notice of their wishes and feelings. only 42 per cent of looked-after children said their social workers see them on their own regularly 15 per cent said they never talked to their workers on their own. 70 per cent saying they wanted to see their social workers more often than they did. The OFCD has also published reports on family justice review and review of child protection. To find out more go to the www.rights4me.org website http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=97 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=97 Mon, 6 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT In March 2011 NCAS conducted a survey at the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forumto inform the work of the forum for the coming year by: Identifying local authorities who had already developed policies that they may be able to share with others. Establishing the extent to which local authorities had developed the proposed policies and procedures. Rating policies in order of importance, so that we can use this to help us focus any joint work on policies and procedures in the future. (Local authorities rated the importance of policies from 1-5, where 1 was defined as ‘not important and 5 was ‘essential.) We found that: Out of 35 policies identified the only one that all local authorities already had in place was a finance policy for higher education. 89% (16) had overall financial policies and financial policies relating to setting up home allowances and further education. On average, no policies were deemed ‘not important and all policies had an average rating between 3 and 5 The three policies rated most important by managers: Provision for the allocation of leaving care support to young people who are eligible, relevant or former relevant children (rated 4.9 out of 5). How fostering and residential finance policies will assist young people to prepare for independence (rated 4.8 out of 5). Consulting with young people and how their views contribute to developing/improving leaving care services (rated 4.7 out of 5). Read the report below. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=96 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=96 Mon, 6 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Department of Education has now published the training materials related to the Planning transitions to adulthood for care leavers guidance and regulations. DFE training materials The materials include trainer notes and power point slidesthat will enable learners to: Say why it is vital to make sure that children and young people have appropriate support when they leave care Explain the legal principles that must be followed when planning the transition to adulthood for care leavers Define the different categories of children who are entitled to care leaving support and the different elements of support available Identify the importance of the pathway plan in the care planning process Explain the role of personal advisers in pathway planning Apply the duties and criteria set out in the regulations when helping children and young people to plan their transition to adulthood You might also want to have a look at the Myths summary sheet This lists a selection of misunderstandings raisedat the training events which DfE arranged to support the implementation of the revised legal framework for looked after children and care leavers. There are also training materials for all the other guidance and regulations on the same site.Follow this link for anoverview. Want a bespoke course or someone to deliver training on the guidance? NCAS can deliver in-house training on implementing the new transitions guidance is a training course to assist in the roll-out of the new guidance, Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers. Whether you would like a morning seminar to discuss the implications of the guidance with senior managers or a days training for frontline staff, we can develop bespoke training to help meet your local needs. Please email us for more information. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=93 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=93 Fri, 3 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT As a big thank you for your support over the years, we are offering you the opportunity to purchase some of our products at a special rate: Get Ready for Adult Life - CD Rom This very successful CD ROM is a great tool for young people leaving care to use with their personal advisors when planning for adult life. Now: 5.00(excluding VAT) for 10 copies, works out as 50p a copy (minimum order of 10) Journeys to Home Now: 2.50 (exluding VAT). Thats half price! This good practice guide developed for local authorities, housing and support providers looks at the different pathways young people can take in their transition from care to independent living. More of NCASs publications can be found here If you are interested in making an order please email: ncas@catch-22.org.uk by Thursday 30th June . http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=95 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=95 Thu, 2 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT A court of appeal judgment has reinforced the role of childrens services to support homeless 16/17 year olds.TG v Lambeth court of appeal caselooked at whether a young man housed under homelessness legislation should be considered a looked after child accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act, although his Youth Offending Team Social worker referred him to housing to deal with his accommodation needs not childrens services. The court found that: By virtue of the social worker being the "eyes and ears" of the children and families division in the Youth Offending Scheme that she represented, the Court of Appeal held that her actions were properly imputed to that division and thus the appellant was declared a "former relevant child" for the purposes of s.23C Children Act 1989 For more info go to:www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed83394or download the full ruling below. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=92 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=92 Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Centre for Child and Family Research, NCAS and a group of care leavers, who were trained as peer researchers, have undertaken an evaluation of Right2BCared4. Right2BCared4 was piloted in 11 authorities from October 2007 and is based on the following principles: Young people should not be expected to leave care until they reach 18 years of age; They should have a greater say in the decision making process preceding their exit from care; and Should be properly prepared for living independently. The findings published this week reveal that: In pilot areas, there has been a cultural shift in professional attitudes concerning care planning and decision-making for young people aged 16 years and over; professionals have become more proactive in encouraging young people to remain looked after until legal adulthood. As a result, a higher proportion of those in the pilot authorities were looked after until they reached legal adulthood compared to those from comparator authorities. Not all young people want to remain in care until legal adulthood. White British young women, especially parents, tend to leave care early as do those who have experienced multiple placement changes. It is important that packages of support are available to meet the needs of those who choose to move to independence before age 18. There is a need to ensure that children and young people are not ‘over protected while they are looked after; foster carers require support and training so that they can facilitate children and young peoples gradual preparation for adulthood and provide them with opportunities to take risks, make mistakes and try again. Supported accommodation can serve as a useful bridge to independence but it is important that the quality of the accommodation, its proximity to young peoples support networks and the duration of time that young people are able to stay are consider when decisions are being taken about ‘suitable accommodation. Young people highlighted that: They valued pathway plans that explored current circumstances and how these might change, set clear goals and detailed what services their local authority would supply to support them in making their transition from care to adulthood; and that were regularly reviewed and updated. Managing their money and paying bills were issues that caused them anxiety even when they had received advice about this. They appreciated ongoing and consistent relationships with professionals and timely contact that was responsive to their needs. On the whole, young people rated the support they received from social workers and leaving care workers highly. For further details of the evaluation please see: Munro, ER., Lushey, C., Ward, H. and NCAS (2011). Evaluation of the Right2BCared4 Pilots: Final Report. London: Department of Education (research brief): https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/RSG/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RB106 Munro, E.R., Lushey, C., Ward, H. and NCAS (2011). Evaluation of the Right2BCared4 Pilots: Final Report. London: Department of Education (Full report): https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR106.pdf Edwards G. (2011). Right2BCared4 Peer Research Summary Report. London: Department for Education. https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Right2BCared4_Peer-Research.pdf http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=91 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=91 Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new ILPA guide on working with refugee children: Working with Refugee Children: Current Issues in Best Practiceis now available online. This guide is produced as part of ILPAs Refugee Childrens Project which serves to provide practitioners with advice and guidance on how to achieve best practice in working with children subject to immigration control through the provision of training and written publications. Includes chapters on: safeguarding the voice of the child age disputes representing children at appeals legal aid Download the guide ontheILPA websiteor order a free hard copy by e-mailing lisa.woodall@ilpa.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=90 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=90 Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Four Agency Supported Lodgings Project, involving the Fostering Network together with Depaul UK, YMCA England and National Care Advisory Service (NCAS), was funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government from April 2010 until May 2011. The aim was to bring together supported lodgings schemes and services developed by housing, childrens services and supporting people in England and to establish a national network of supported lodgings schemes. The first set of resources from the project, a set of learning and development modules for supported lodgings hosts/carers are now available to download on Fostering Networks website: http://www.fostering.net/resources/training-materials/supported-lodgings-learning-and-development-modules http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=89 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=89 Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT This new study by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons reveals a lack of effective support to looked after children in custody. It revealed: a lack of knowledge about the care system amongst some prison staff; limited guidance for Youth Offending Institution (YOI) staff about how to work with local authorities to ensure that young people get the support they are entitled to; and a lack of clarity in most establishments about where the responsibility for looked after children should lie. The study estimates that there are around 400 children in custody at any one time who have spent time in care and that these young people were more likely to report problems on arrival than other young people. Despite this there were evident gaps in planning for release and support whilst in custody. Only half of the young people interviewed by the study said they had received a visit from their social worker during their time in custody andidentifiedissues with accommodation and education, training and employment on release. Recommendations The Youth Justice Board and Department for Education to agree a strategy for the coordination of services for looked after children in custody. The National Offender Management Service to develop clear procedures, incorporating relevant legislation and guidance, relating to the care and management of looked after children in YOIs. A designated social worker within each YOI with responsibility for implementing agreed procedures for looked after children, linking with local authorities. Read the full report here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=88 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=88 Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT This report gives the views of 332 children attending six separate consultation days to give their views on issues involved in keeping children out of care and returning children from care to their families. Consultation included both quantitative ‘voting sessions and in depth discussion groups.Of the 122 children who voted on various issues, 72% understood why they were in care and 43% thought that more support for them and their families would have kept them out of care. Children identified four main factors that might have kept them individually out of care: more support for their parents or carers; outside help for the childrens own problems; children themselves keeping out of trouble with the police or at school; help with money for the familys needs. Nearly half (47%) thought they needed still to be in care, 42% thought they no longer needed to be in care but of those who thought they could now leave care, fewer than half thought they could now return to their parents. There was a strong view that leaving care to return to families should be very gradual, with considerable support for both parents and child, the support for the child being no less than they received while in care. Read the full report here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=86 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=86 Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT From Care2Work brings together local authorities, young people and employers with the aim of improving employability outcomes for care leavers. The Marriott Hotel Groupis one of our key employer partners nationally and the Marriott Manchester Summer School aims to offer an innovative approach to providing employabiity opportunities. We want to offer Greater Manchester care leavers a positive experience of the workplace as soon as they complete their FE or HE course. For 8 care leavers with an interest in hospitality and catering, travel and tourism or leisure management, the project will offer a 4 week workplace experience that will offer an insight into working in this industry. Supportive placements will build confidence, raise aspirations, provide advice on career progression, enhance CVs, offer the opportunity to gain a valuable reference and potentially future employment. For more information contact Barry Cullen, Employer Relations Manager barry.cullen@catch-22.org.uk 07545 422606 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=85 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=85 Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Eileen Munros final review of child protection sets out proposals for reform and could have implications for social work practice across the board. Recommendations include proposals to: Remove elements of prescription, including prescribed timescales for social work assessments. Put young peoples experiences at the heart of Ofsted inspections of services minimising the bureaucratic burden on local authorities through unannounced inspections. Enable social workers to exercise more professional judgement and improve their expertise. Appoint a Principal Child and Family Social Worker in each local authority to advise on pratice skills and a chief social worker to work on the national level. Protect the discrete roles and responsibilities of Directors of Childrens Services and Lead Members for Childrens Services. The Government will work closely with a group of professionals from across the childrens sector to develop a full response to Professor Munro s recommendations later this year. For more information go http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/ http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=84 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=84 Mon, 9 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Two years ago From Care2Work, a national programme managed and delivered by National Care Advisory Service (NCAS) that works with local authorities and employers toimprove employability among young people in and from care, set out to improve employability outcomes for care leavers. From Care2Works Phase 1 Final report, launched this week, emphasises that collective responsibility to support the employability needs of young people leaving care produces results. NCAS, part of Catch22, is pleased to be able to continue to build From Care2Work for the next two years with continuing funding from the Department for Education. Through From Care2Work both national and local employers, such as Marriott Hotels and the National Housing Federation have worked alongside local authorities as corporate parents to provide care leavers with work experience, apprenticeships and other employability opportunities Childrens Minister, Tim Loughton says For too long many young people have fallen into the trap of joblessness after leaving care. Having a job gives young people confidence, a sense of purpose and financial security. We want to make sure that more care leavers have the chance to find work. We are continuing to fund the excellent From Care2Work programme - which now has over 400 national and local companies providing care leavers with work experience, apprenticeships and other opportunities." From Care2Work will continue to build on the work achieved over the past two years. Working alongside professionals who support care leavers, From Care2Work will offer support, consultancy, training and resources to provide practitioners with a range of knowledge and tools that enable them to improve the employability skills of young people. Martin Hazlehurst, NCAS National managers says: To improve the employability of care leavers requires all local partners to work together. Where From Care2Work has worked most effectively local authority leaving care services know the young people they work with and are able to put them forward for opportunities based on their skills and aspirations. Where opportunities are not yet available, they actively seek out local employers to provide opportunities based on young peoples interests and capabilities. Organisations and local authorities who provide quality opportunities to young people can apply for the From Care2Work Quality Mark. This is awarded to all employers who demonstrate their commitment to care leavers through the opportunities they offer. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=82 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=82 Mon, 9 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following the evaluation of the 2010 process Ofsted has published arrangements and guidance for local authorities and their partners on Ofsteds annual assessment of childrens services. This guidance seeks to: set out the arrangements for the childrens services assessment in 2011 in terms of the performance profile and the principles that will be applied in determining the assessment; re-affirm the scope of the annual childrens servi;es assessment clarify the reporting procedures for the childrens services assessment; set out the practical arrangements for the 2011 childrens services assessment process, including: communication with local authorities; quality assurance processes; appeal procedures; and the overall timeline for the process including the date of publication. Read the Childrens Services Assessment for2011. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=83 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=83 Sun, 1 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Did you know that you can send the Childrens minister Tim Loughton messages through the Department for Education website? Tell Tim about Whats working well What isnt working well What you think could make things better Have you got young people that want to let the minister know what they think? - make sure they Tell Tim. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=94 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=94 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The newsletter compiled by the Department for Education (DFE) include useful information for Virtual School Heads (VSH) and all who support looked after children and care leavers with education. The newsletter includes Lessons from the latest VSH conference Answers to VSH questions about the Pupil Premium for looked after children Other education questions DFE have been asked in recent months, and the answers. Further education news - 14-19 bursary consultation Download the newsletter from the DFE website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=81 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=81 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Changes in the funding regime for higher education means that some unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) will no longer be able to access financial support to go to university. Previously, student support and eligibility for home fees has been available to those with leave to enter or remain who originally applied for asylum. This has now been changed. Individuals who have applied for asylum, had their application refused and been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (or those who applied for asylum and whose case went to the Case Resolution Directorate as a legacy case, after which they were granted leave to remain) will no longer be eligible for home fees and Student Support for a higher education course in England. As of 9th Febuary 2011, eligibility has been restricted to those with Humanitarian Protection and their family members. For more information go to Childrens Legal Centre website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=80 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=80 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS has today submitted its response to the Department for Communities and Local Government review of the statutory duties of local authorities. In our response we argued for the retention of the new framework of statutory guidance and regulations to guide local authority interventions with looked after children and care leavers that was introduced on 1 April. We stressed that the regulations relating to looked after children and care leavers ensure that local authorities provide an essential support network for young people whose own families are unable nurture their needs and champion their aspirations. It ensures a consistent approach corporate parenting by promoting education, employment and training; health and wellbeing and ensuring that local authorities support young people from care to secure suitable accommodation once they make the transition to adulthood. Read our response online Do you believe that the statutory guidance and regulations are essential to maintain support for looked after children and care leavers? There is still time to respond directly to the DCLG. Submit your own response to the consultationby 25 April 2011. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=79 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=79 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The EMCLASS network (East Midlands Care Leavers Activities and Student Support) is a network of outreach and/or student support workers in universities who share best practice to encourage young people in care who want to progress on to university.EMCLASS has compiled a directory of contacts for (most) universities in the Midlands, including what benefits are offered to young people in care and care leavers to support their progress on to university.The directory aims to provide an easy way for young people in care, and the people who support them, to make direct contact with relevant support staff at universities. We also want to encourage local authority staff to find out about university outreach activities which their young people could participate in.Some other regions of the country are seeking to produce similar collations of contacts. We hope to end up with a comprehensive list for the whole country which will help us all to work together for the benefit of young people. Other university contacts can also be found at http://www.buttleuk.org/pages/contacts.html If you can think of colleagues / networks / mailing lists to whom this might be useful, then please do forward it on. If you would like to get in touch with all the members of EMCLASS regional network, please email EMCLASS@jiscmail.ac.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=78 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=78 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT On the request of the House of Commons Education Committee the Government has provided a further responseto the 200809 report on looked after children, outlining the initiatives they are undertaking to support looked after children and care leavers following the general election. The support for care leavers highlighted in the report includes: Funding to enable more care leavers to stay with their foster carers after age 18 using the Staying Put model (part of the non ringfenced local authority Formula Grant). Continued funding to NCAS to run the From Care2Work programme to improve employment opportunities for care leavers. The introduction of new regulations and statutory guidance on support for care leavers intended to bolster the quality of support and ensure more consistency across the country by building on the best local practice, including giving care leavers an entitlement to Personal Adviser (PA) support from local authorities, where they wish to resume education and training beyond the age of twenty one and up to aged 25. The emphasis on the importance of suitable accommodation for care leavers in the revised statutory guidance and the work of the Ministerial Group on Homelessness, to ensure adequate support for care leavers. Read the full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=76 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=76 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT From April local authorities will be expected to implement the new statutory guidance on care planning for looked after children and care leavers, bringing in a number of extended duties. The new guidance comes in at a time of great uncertainty for statutory services. Government cuts have impacted on local budgets, and significant changes to service provision are planned. In March 2011 NCAS conducted a survey of members of the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum to establish how leaving care services were being affected. Our new report, Making the cut - planning transitions for care leavers in an age of austerity, summarises the findings based on responses from 27 authorities and suggests priorities for central and local government to implement the new guidance in the new financial climate. Overview of impact on leaving care services Our findings reveal a general pattern of great uncertainty within services and concern about the capacity to continue to support young people effectively and implement the new guidance and regulations. Half of services are already expecting cuts and over 80% are seeing the impact of cuts to complimentary local services and provision, which they use to support care leavers. Reduced staffing numbers are likely to lead to higher case loads in many areas, making it increasingly difficult to effectively implement the changes in the new guidance. The impact of cuts on education, training and employment support, from funding for higher education courses to Connexions workers, is especially pertinent in a time of high youth unemployment and continued poor outcomes for care leavers in many areas. Managers are particularly concerned about services capacity to implement the new guidance on existing or reduced budgets, especially maintaining regular contact and visits and supporting young people wanting to pursue education and training after 21. Read the report to find out more http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=77 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=77 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government has announced a new 180 million bursary scheme to help the most vulnerable 16-19 years olds continue in full-time education in place of the education maintenance allowance (EMA). The scheme is made up of two parts a guaranteed payment to a small group of the most vulnerable, and a discretionary fund for schools and colleges to distribute: 16-19 year olds who are in care, care leavers or on income support will be given guaranteed bursaries of 1,200. This is equivalent to 30 a week for 40 weeks. Schools and colleges can distribute the rest of the money to support any student who faces genuine financial barriers to participation such as costs of transport, food or equipment. They will have the freedom to decide the scale of the bursaries; to pay weekly, monthly, or annually; and link it to behaviour or attendance. The current discretionary fund is 26 million. In future the fund will be worth 180 million. Even after the guaranteed bursaries have been paid to the most vulnerable 12,000, colleges will still have 165 million for the discretionary pot. Read more about the scheme on the Department for Education (DFE) website http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=75 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=75 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Both the Fostering Services and the Childrens Homes guidance and regulations are part of a suite of guidance and regulation for local authoriteis about working with looked after children and care leavers. Volume 4(Fostering Services)sets out the functions and responsibilities of local authorities and their partner agencies in relation to fostering services under Parts 3, 7 and 8 of the Children Act 1989. It also sets out the responsibilities arising from the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 in relation to fostering services. Volume 5 (Childrens Homes) of the Children Act Regulations and Guidance provides guidance to localauthorities in England and their staff, about their functions under Parts 3 and 6-8 of theChildren Act 1989 Foster carers and residential workers play a key part in ensuring that young people are properly prepared and ready for the time when they are no longer looked after. Read the guidance through the links below http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=73 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=73 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT A serious case review into the suicide of a young polish man in Manchester hasidentified that there was an underpinning issue across a range ofagencies that at aged 17 years Child S was not always perceived to be, andtherefore treated as, a child - in line with the G vs Southwark judgment. The review sets out a series of multi-agency and single agency recommendations for services. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=69 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=69 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Action for Children and Barnardos joined forces to urge the Government to review provisions for children in care, ahead of this years budget. They called on the Government to establish an alternative savings account for children in care in response to the Child Trust Fund being abolished and being replaced with a voluntary ISA scheme for parents to pay into if they wish. The joint proposal "On our own two feet", supported by NCAS,has the following key features: any child who enters local authority care in the UK and remains in care for a minimum of 13 weeks would be eligible, after 13 weeks the responsible local authority send the childs details to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) who will then open an account, HMRC make an initial payment of 250, the responsible local authority notify HMRC if the child spends more than 26 weeks of the next year in care. HMRC will then make a further contribution of 100. The same applies to any subsequent year the child spends in care until they leave care, looked after children who currently have the Child Trust Fund would also receive annual top up payments if, as above, they have spent more than 26 weeks in care. The campaign was successful and on the 22 February George Osborne announced that money, around 5million,will be dedicated to a savings account for children in care across the UK. Full text on Hansard http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=72 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=72 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Children Homes NMS National Minimum Standards (NMS) applicable to providers of childrens homes. The NMS together with the regulations such as the Children Homes Regulations 2001 as amended form the basis of the regulatory framework under the Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA) for the conduct of childrens home providers. One of the standards is of particular relevance to care leavers: Standard 12 Promoting independence and moves to adulthood and leaving care Read the Children homes NMS Fostering Services NMS This document contains the National Minimum Standards (NMS) applicable to the provision of fostering services. The NMS, together with Regulations relevant to the placement of children in foster care such as the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 (the 2011 Regulations), form the basis of the regulatory framework under the Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA) for the conduct of fostering services. The standards are designed to be applicable to the wide variety of different types of fostering service. They aim to enable, rather than prevent, individual providers to develop their own particular ethos and approach based on evidence that this is the most appropriate way to meet the childs needs. One of the standards is of particular relevance to care leavers: Standard 12 Promoting independence and moves to adulthood and leaving care Read the Fostering Services NMS Adoption NMS This document contains the National Minimum Standards (NMS) applicable to the provision of adoption services. The NMS together with the adoption regulations form the basis of the regulatory framework under the Care Standards Act 2000 for the conduct of adoption agencies and adoption support agencies. Read the Adoption NMS http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=71 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=71 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT This guidance sets out the framework for the provision of support to family and friends carers of children and young people who, because they are unable to live with their parents, are being brought up by members of their extended families, friends or other people who are connected with them. The guidance makes it clear that children and young people who are unable to live with their parents should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare, whether or not they are looked after. It aims to ensure that local authorities understand when such children should become looked after, and sets out what local authorities and their partners should do to deliver effective services to children and young people who are living with family members or friends. The guidance includes reference to entitlement to leaving care services for young people in different groups. Read the guidance http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=70 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=70 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The NSPCC have released a report showing that in total, 3,196 children in care contacted ChildLine in 2009/10 compared to 2,415 five years ago. This is a 32 percent increase, and translates as 1 in 26 looked-after children contacting the charity compared with around 1 in 100 children in the general population. Some of the key findings from the report reveal thatin 2009/10 looked after children counselled by ChildLine: were five times more likely to discuss running away as children counselled by ChildLine overall. Looked after children were also twice as likely to discuss self-harm. felt uncared for and at times they found it hard to accept the love and care they were given. Relationships with residential and foster carers were fraught with tension. described the deeply unsettling nature of frequently moving placements, making it hard for them to build trusting relationships. felt they had no other trusted adults they could turn to and thus called ChildLine. Many of the looked after children told ChildLine they felt completely alone. The NSPCC report includes a range of recommendations to improve conditions for children in care. Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, told the BBC that a lack of money should not be a reason to ignore the problem. "Even if there is an issue about cost we need to have an awareness that these children are desperately unhappy," she said. "Budget or no budget, we have to find a way to help them have a voice." Ms Minto said children needed regular access to an adult who could act as their friend and with whom they could speak more informally than a social worker or other local authority figure. "Children need their own advocate for them so that they have an opportunity before their meetings to really talk about what they want and how theyre feeling, and have some help to have that expressed at these meetings," she added. Read the full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=74 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=74 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Local authorities are bound by statute. Their functions are set out in numerous Acts of Parliament and many of these functions have associated legal duties. This includes a range of duties in relationto looked after children and care leavers. The Departmentfor Communities and Local Government is carrying out a consultation to inform a wide ranging review to establish the duties which are no longer needed and to remove them, giving local authorities freedom to operate in a way that meets local needs and priorities. They want to know: What duties are vital to keep? What duties should be repealed? What burdens have been created through particular duties, and associated regulations and guidance? What duties have not been included on the attached list and should also be considered in the review? NCAS believes that as it is essential that the duties in relation to looked after children and care leavers are retained and will be responding to the consultation. You canexpress yourviewsthrough their online form. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=68 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=68 Tue, 8 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Restrictions on Crisis Loans have been announced in order to prevent the Social Fund budget running out before Christmas. The planned changes to the Crisis Loan system from April 2011 are: No longer paying Crisis Loans for items such as cookers and beds. There will be some residual support for people following a disaster such as flooding. We will reduce the rate paid for living expenses from 75 per cent down to 60 per cent of benefit rate. This will align with the position for Jobseekers Allowance cases paid at the hardship rate. We will implement a cap of three Crisis Loan awards for general living expenses in a rolling twelve month period. This policy was tested by Jobcentre Plus in 2009-10. Read more on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=67 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=67 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT On 23 February 2011 the Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum (YPBMF) met and discussed the new guidance onPlanning transitions to adulthood for care leavers. This was an opportunity to talk about some of the new provisions and the extent to which they were already implemented in local authorities based on the young peoples experience of leaving care. This summary highlights some of the issues raised by young people based on their experience through myths the experiences that young people had taken to be general practice, but run counter to the provisions of the new guidance. We focused the discussion around five key areas: pathway planning; personal advisers; preparation for adulthood and leaving care; accommodation; education, training and employment; financial support. Although this report was addressed to service managers, by focusing on young peoples experiences of support, this summary provides an opportunity for all practitioners to reflecton how they provide services and for decision makers to see where to concentrate efforts to improve services. Read the summary http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=61 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=61 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following the successful redevelopment of www.leavingcare.org we have now created a new members area based on feedback from the forum. You will be able to access all the news and resources from www.leavingcare.org, plus information and services available only to benchmarking forum members. The new site includes The NLCBF enquiries system has now moved online so you can ask eachother questions and respond directly online. A notice board for sharing information, including agendas, minutes and presentations from previous meetings. Benchmarking specific resource library. We hope you find the new site useful http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=66 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=66 Sun, 6 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCAS are mapping the impact funding cuts are having on leaving care services involved in the benchmarking forum. Weve heard anecdotally that funding for services are being cut around the country, but to quantify this to be able to communicate how this is affecting the sector. We will use this to evidence impact of the sector at this crucial time, including feeding back directly to Kevin Woods and the minister. Thank you to all of you who completed the questionnaire at the Benchmarking forum last week. For those of you who were unable to attend, I would really appreciate if you could take 5 minutes to complete this short survey:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/leavingcarefunding Deadline for feedback is this Friday 11 March 2011so that I can circulate the findings as soon as possible. Thank you http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=65 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=65 Fri, 4 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The DWP is seeking views about proposed new arrangements for sharing customer data between DWP and local authorities, in relation to the provision of welfare services and housing benefit. Parliament is considering introducing regulation-making powers which will broaden current data sharing powers. If the new power is introduced customer details could be shared in more circumstances than is currently the case. The aim is to make it easier and simpler for customers to apply for and receive a range of different services and benefits. This call for evidence will provide an opportunity for all interested parties to submit their views. They are particularly keen to hear from local authorities, as well asfrom customers and the organisations representing them. Responses will be used to assist in developing detailed proposals later in the year, when regulations are drafted. Submissions close 25 April 2011. Read thefull details here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=60 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=60 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT On Wednesday 23rd February, 75 care leavers and leaving care workers came together at the University of Salford to take part in our iCAN UCAN event. Part of the From Care2Work project, the day was hosted by Jennifer Mitchell, Trainee Young Peoples Co-ordinator from NCAS. Richard McCann began the morning with an inspirational presentation on his personal journey and the ‘I Can attitude that kept him going in difficult times. The afternoon was an opportunity to gather information on HE, apprenticeships, building employability, enterprise skills, career planning and more. At the end of the day we asked everyone what one thing they would do next: Study hard to show what I can achieve Look for a job that inspires me I can get a job! Reflect and see how I can achieve more Go and tell my mates what a wonderful day I have had Click here to read more about the HE journey of one student at University of Salford To view the film shown during the eventfollow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VtuUwOxr0Y http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=59 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=59 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Education Secretary Michael Gove and Childrens Minister Tim Loughton today launched new guidance which aims to improve the number and timeliness of adoptions. It seeks to stop councilsturning away potential adopters on basis of race, age or social background. The statutory guidance explains the content of the different sets of regulations made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, and the duties and responsibilities that they place on adoption agencies. It applies to domestic adoption in England only and should be read by everyone involved in the adoption of children - especially childrens social workers - and those who work with adopted adults and birth families. TheGovernment alsoplans to strengthen Ofsted inspections of adoption services to ensure services better serve vulnerable children in care and prospective adopters. Read the guidance Go to DfE website for more information http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=58 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=58 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Young people can win a Nintendo Wii and games bundle by completing an online survey -the surveyis part of a project to understandthe kinds of support young people in care would prefer if they were in distress or had a particular problem they needed help with. The Who Cares? Trustneeds as many young people in care as possible to fill in the survey,and will usetheresultsto help organisations outside the care system to understand what role they can play in providing support. Its quick and easy to complete, and the confidentiality of all young people who respond will be respected. As an incentive-all respondents who provide an email address will be entered into a prize draw to win a Nintendo Wii and games bundle! Pleaseget the survey out as widelyas possible by passing on the survey link (www.surveymonkey.com/s/whocares) to the young people you work with and encouraging them to fill in the survey. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=57 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=57 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Sova Young Londons music project highlightsissues around the stereotyping of young people in care and the effects their upbringing can have on their lives. This is now available for viewing from here: http://itvfixers.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=107&video_id=454%20 The full length track and video of How Would You Feel has also been completed by SOVA and can be viewed Here <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zf8iEkV1UE> . The video is already on You Tube and the main participants Rhianna and Kadeem have an appointment next month at Shirley High School in Surrey to promote their work and educate students on this topic. There are also talks of a possible performance by Kadeem of the track at the O2 in London in the upcoming months. The young people behind this project are eager to promote their work and spread their message as far as possible and would appreciate any support you could lend to it. If you are interested in finding out more or can assist in promoting this project please contact: Adwoa Jeremiah, Project Manager on ajeremiah@sova.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=56 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=56 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The From Care2Work resource Providing Opportunities for Young People - A Film by Young People is now available online. This film was supported and part funded by the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum, and created with the participation of members of the Young Peoples Benchmarking Forum.This resource is based on the five key themes of the From Care2Work Quality Mark, and aims to support employers in providing exceptional employability opportunities for care leavers.For more information on From Care2Work, the Quality Mark or this resource please contact us. View the video here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=55 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=55 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The report, The Munro Review of Child Protection: Interim Report, The Childs Journey, is the second report fromthe independent child protection review. The first report discussed the problems in the child protection system and how they have arisen while this onelooks at the characteristics of an effective system and the reforms needed to create it. In the report Professor Munro recommends Ofsted no longer evaluate serious case reviews (SCRs), with a proposal for a national system of trained reviewers to be considered, so lessons can be learned nationally. She also looks at issues arising with bureaucracy and a focus on paperwork, regulations and procedures and how these constrain the abilities of the worker to focus on the child. Amongst other discussion and recommendations, there is a proposal to scrap announced inspections of childrens services, replacing them with unannounced only. In the next stage of the review, Professor Munro plans to test out how to give frontline social workers greater autonomy so they can better exercise professional judgment. The final report and recommendations are due to go to Government in April. Readthe complete range of issues and recommendations considered by the review inthe full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=54 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=54 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT NCASare pleased to launch the From Care2Work Quality Mark for employers who provide quality work placements for young people leaving care. On the 18th January 2011 several local authorities and two national employers were awarded the quality mark at an event held in London. Young people who are part of the quality mark assessment team presented the awards and gave speeches on the day. The event was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. Local authorities awarded the quality mark: Bolton Council City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Durham County Council Islington Council Leicester City Council London Borough of Merton Oxfordshire County Council South Gloucestershire Council Walsall Council And the first national employers: York Marriott Hotel National Housing Federation Please view the Quality Mark Event Brochure for information about the good practice highlighted from each of the above Quality Mark Assessments.Congratulations to all!! Find out more about the From Care2Work project or to join leading employers who have been assessed as delivering quality work placements to young care leavers contact your regional From Care2Work representative. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=53 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=53 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) have produced a range of materials that will help local authorities explain housing benefit under the local housing allowance (LHA) arrangements to tenants. This includes information about the current LHA rules and processes and details about how the changes to LHA rates from April 2011 may affect tenants. Read these leaflets at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/local-authority-staff/housing-benefit/claims-processing/local-housing-allowance/communications/#apr2011 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=52 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=52 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT A report just released by the Childrens Rights Director for England sets out what children and young people in care say about their experience of having the local authority acting as their parent. Read the full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=51 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=51 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The January 2011 edition of Keynotes, the magazine for the leaving care world, focuses on the new suite of legislation, regulation and guidance coming into effect in April 2011. The new legal framework has far reaching implications so here we look at the highlights of the changes and hear what experts have to say on the impact and implementation of these initiatives in the current climate. This includes considering what young people should know about them. Also in this edition: the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary. Find out how you can be a part of this lessons from the From Care2Work project; looking at the quality mark and career planning toolkit considering new developments in accommodation practice get the latest updates on policy and practice resources Read January Keynotes here http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=50 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=50 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Encourage children and young people in and from care to complete a short survey about the difference a saving account can make as they approach adulthood. On January 1st 2011 child trust funds were abolished for all children. For looked after children, this system had provided a savings account and minimum contribution year-on-year to be accessed when becoming an adult and leaving the care system.Action for Children and Barnardos are campaigning for a savings account system to be reinstated. Looked after children are some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK. Access to a financial asset base is an essential part of the way young people can prepare for a successful and independent life once they leave the care system. How you can contributeHelp children and young people in care and care leavers to have their say about the difference a savings account (and contributions to it!) can make as they approach adulthood and leave care.Please encourage and assist the young people that you work with to complete this very short survey by 4 February at http://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/actionforchildren/saving http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=49 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=49 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Dont miss your chance to share your views and ideas. One of our major tasks this year has been updating the website, which launched in November[ read more ] One of our major tasks last year was updating this website, which launched in November. Were now looking at how we can make it even better. Weve added a range of new features, including a resource library, new events calendar and updated the structure of the site. Let us know what you think works and what we could make even better by e-mailing us or completing this short feedback form. Wed love to hear from you! Please let us have your feedback by 21 January 2011. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=48 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=48 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Education is running a series of regional train the trainer events to support the implementation of the revised regulations and guidance relating to looked after children which come into force in April 2011. The Department has designed this training to help training leads be able to cascade training on the revised regulations for looked after children within their own organisations. In each local authority area, they are aiming to have four representatives from childrens services and relevant council services, and recommend that these are: Staff training managers; Service managers covering looked after children and care leavers; Assistant Directors for vulnerable children; Commissioners for Childrens Services; or Representative from education, health, housing, youth offending or adult services (including: virtual school head, youth homelessness, disabled children and transitions) They would also like one representative to attend from local/regional looked after children placement providers (fostering, childrens home) and other partner agencies (health, voluntary sector, etc.). There are limited places so those wishing to attend should book directly via the event website, which has all the information on events including dates, times and locations: http://www.dfe-putting-care-into-practice.org/ Early booking is advised for preferred locations as venues have capacity restrictions. A set of training materials will be made available on the DfE website to support further dissemination of the revised and new regulations and guidance. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=47 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=47 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The article published on 11 January, contends that serious problems may arise in the lives of children at any age and not just during the early years. Professor Stein quotes research on the maltreatment of teenagers which shows that just over 9,000 young people aged 10-17 are the subject of a child protection plan a greater number than for those younger than one year old and there are higher rates of neglected teenagers subject to a child protection plan than those physically, sexually and emotionally abused at an earlier age. Based on research such as this, he contends that, the emphasis on the under threes is also professionally and politically naive, as it will fuel the diversion of resources away from teenagers. Already, we are seeing councils focus on safeguarding funding for child protection services at the expense of services for teenagers." A key element of thisargument being that looking at a model of cost effectivenesswhich measures savingsonly upuntilthe age of 18 skews the data, to excludelonger term outcomes, in favour of early years interventions. Which can mean, "...abandoning some of the most vulnerable young people. Read the full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/jan/11/fixation-early-years-intervention-flawed http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=46 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=46 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Research by Inside Housing reveals many councils are still not complying with the ruling in relation to homeless 16 and 17 yr olds. After the ruling by the High Court that is now known as the ‘G vs. Southwark case, guidance was circulated by central government on how councils should deal with 16 and 17-year-olds at risk of homelessness. However even now, nearly 3 years after an initial High Court ruling of a similar nature, this vulnerable group remains more likely to be dealt with by housing officers than social workers. Figures obtained by Inside Housing, under the Freedom of Information Act, from 99 councils show many are failing to heed either the High Courts rulings or government guidance. The research uncovered that in the first 10 months of last year, housing departments in 45 councils found 497 homeless 16 and 17-year-olds accommodation but they were given no social services support - the total figure for the previous three years is 2,922. However the figures do indicate that social workers are increasingly handling these cases. In 2007, 14 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds homelessness applications were handled by social workers. This rose to 19 per cent in 2008 and 30 per cent in 2009. Of concern though, is thatthe data indicatescouncils are failing to assess the support needs of every 16 and 17-year-old. The Inside Housingarticle quotes Professor Hamilton, the Director of the Childrens Legal Centre, who finds the discovery that many councils appeared not to be fulfilling their legal duties ‘extremely worrying. ‘We hope that this does not get worse next year in the face of local authority funding cuts, she adds. The research did identify several authorities who have revised their structures to comply with the judgement. Read the full article from Inside Housing. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=43 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=43 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT One of our major tasks this year has been updating the website, which launched in November. Were now looking at how we can make it even better. Weve added a range of new features, including a resource library, new events calendar and updated the structure of the site. Let us know what you think works and what we could make even better by e-mailing us or completing this short feedback form. Please let us have your feedback by 21 January 2011. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=45 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=45 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT We are pleased to be able to share with you the executive summary of the 2010 NCAS Review, which details responses by our partners in respect of our service and profile. It is not necessary to emphasis to you the seriousness of the financial situation going forward into the New Year and whilst we will endeavour within this response to the review, to address as much as possible in order to improve our service, this will be within, as yet, wholly unknown financial and other resource constraints. We have however, begun making an impact on the very helpful suggestions contained within this review. Wendy Green sets out the road ahead in her response to the review. We would like to thank all of our partners for supporting us this year with a special thanks to those of you who took time out to complete this survey which we have valued in our planning. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=44 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=44 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT In the last week of November, all the partners met in Timisoara, Romania to plan the final months of the Innovation for Employment project. This project has been piloting employability interventions and a social-emotional skills training course for care leavers across five countries in Europe: UK, Ireland, Poland, Hungary and Romania. Our first task was to feedback on the pilots in each country and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet young people from the Hungarian pilot who talked about their involvement in the project and its impact upon them. Here are some short summaries of the work in the employability pilots and some examples of the emotional health and wellbeing pilots. We are in the process of collating and analysing the evaluations of the pilots. However we do some have some clear feedback from young people which we think will be emphasised by our findings. "Our self-esteem has grown so much and we are proud of what we have achieved during the project. "We now know how to speak in groups which helps with interviews." "We have presentation skills, ability and courage to give presentations." "We have new people skills and understand turn-taking." "Professionalism has come from the project work which will help us greatly with employment." The project has been an eye-opener into how we deal with our thoughts and feelings. Were really pleased with the work that weve completed and over the next two or three months we will be writing up our process and findings and sharing them in more detail with you. Read more about Innovation to employment http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=42 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=42 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT New statistics released by the Department for Education showcase some improvements in educational attainment for children looked after continuously for 12 months, however attainment gaps between them and the general population remain. The statistics based on children looked after continuously for 12 months show: 73% of children achieved at least 1 GCSE up from 65% last year 26% achieved 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C compared to 21% in 2009 12% achieved 5 or more GCSEs or the equivalent at A*-C, including English and Mathematics 73% have some form of special educational needs (SEN) and 28% have a statement of SEN (compared to 2.7% of all pupils) 15% were unemployed in September after completing year 11, compared to 4% of all young people. The full breakdown of the statistics are available on the DFE website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=41 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=41 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Social Work Reform Board has just published a progress report, Building a Safe and Confident Future: One Year On, which includes draft proposals for reform. The report gives an overview of Social Work Reform Board activity over the past year and proposes reforms for social work that they are seeking comments on. More detailed information about the first five proposed reforms can be found in Building a Safe and Confident Future: One Year On, Detailed Proposals from the Social Work Reform Board which accompanies the report. The five areas of reform are: o An overarching professional standards framework o Standards for employers and a supervision framework o Principles that should underpin a continuing professional developmentframework o Proposed requirements for social work education o Proposals for effective partnership working The proposals made are a work-in-progress and the sum of much activity and discussion by the hundreds of people who have been involved in the reform process over the past year. The Social Reform Board want to test these proposals further with social workers, service users and carers, educators and employers to help shape our future direction and are seeking feedback over the next three months, until 31st March 2011. Get involved If you are a social worker, a service user or carer or you work in an organisation that trains or educates social workers, some or all of the five proposals in this report may affect you. Now its time to test how practical these proposals are - and how effective and sustainable. Find out more about each proposal in Building a Safe and Confident Future: One Year On and on how to comment on them, from the Social Work Reform Board website at http://www.education.gov.uk/swrb/ http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=40 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=40 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT A study by the Childrens Services Development Group, In it Together II, found that massive efficiencies can be made if authorities focus on four key themes; early intervention, appropriate provision, avoiding placement breakdown and providing a transition from care to adulthood services. The report asserts that difficult public spending circumstances should be seen as an opportunity for innovation. Itargues that payment-by-results models could be adopted so childrens services departments are offered extra funding if young people successfully make the transition to adulthood, with reduced cost to other public services. Calculations featured in the report show that 87,178,500 per year can be saved through diverting just 10 per cent of care leavers who end up in prison away from the justice system. Also, better care interventions to help just 10 per cent of young people who graduate from care to unemployment every year into education or a job instead, could save the exchequer nearly 20m each year. There are 7 key recommendations that emerge from this report focussing on innovation; joint working; appropriate placements; accountability of providers; results based funding; focus on maintaining gains through transitions; and longitudinal research on the value of early intervention models. Read the full report http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=39 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=39 Thu, 9 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT YIPPEE reportcontainsimportant messagesabout theeducational outcomes of young people in and from care in the UK. YIPPEE (Young people from a public care background pathways to education in Europe)is the acronym of an ambitious five-country study aiming to explore the factors - cultural, social, psychological and practical which encourage and enable young people to continue their education beyond the school years. Funded under the EU Framework 7 programme, it focuses on a particular group of young men and women: those who have spent part or all of their childhood in public care. The five countries involved are England, Hungary, Spain, Sweden and Denmark. The English national report is now avallable from their website. This contains some revealing observations about the educational outcomes of looked after children and care leavers, particulary around the impact of engagement in leisure and social activities and the role of positive peer groups amongst other findings. Thereis a list of recommendations arising from their findings, which will have implications for the development of educational components of leaving care services. Read the report. Read more about the YIPPEE study. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=36 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=36 Thu, 2 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Three stories have been created and narrated by children and young people who have experienced foster care. What is depicted is their views and experiences of what can be good and bad in foster care, and what makes for a good foster care experience The film is the product of a joint piece of work between Voice and British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) and uses the real-life experiences of children and young people in care to highlight what children and young people want from foster care. Children and young people from both the London and Swindon Voice participation groups were key to the production of the DVD; identifying the key issues, producing the story-line and script and providing the narration. See the film on YouTube http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=35 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=35 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT "Every Dream Matters" was written by the looked after children of Cumbria working with Whitewood & Fleming. (www.whitewoodandfleming.org) It is available NOW on iTunes. Why not visit ITunes and give this song a review or a rating. The aim is to get it in the charts this December. We are asking YOU to support this great work by buying the track (its only 79p) between : 6th 11th December If enough people buy the track on those days it could get into the UK charts. Please spread the word by emailing this to your friends and posting it on your social networking sites. All proceeds go towards developing more work of this kind with young people who are looked after. Spread the word and pledge your support on 11 Million takeover day. For more information contact: everydreammatters@googlemail.com or visit www.facebook.com/Everydreammatters http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=34 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=34 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT On 1st April 2011 regulations and statutory guidance revising the legal framework for local authority work with looked after children will come in to force, including the new Planning transition to adulthood for care leavers guidance and regulations.To support local authorities Linda, NCAS senior policy manager, has been attending the regional leaving care managers forums to discuss the guidance and its implementation. A version of the presentationthat she has delivered is now available online to help you introduce the guidance to staff and senior managers alike. This presentation provides: Introduction to guidance around support for care leavers. Highlight some of the things you will want to look out for when reading the guidance. Help facilitate discussion in local authorities around how to implement the guidance. The guidance clarifies local authorities responsibilities for care leavers. It will be essential reading for all who work with these young people, from directors of services to personal advisers. Make sure you and your colleagues are geared up for April 2011 by familiarising yourself with the whole suite of guidance. NCAS policy team is collating comments and feedback for the DFE on the guidance - if you have any comments or questions you would like included, please e-mail linda.briheim-crookall@catch-22.org.uk. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=32 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=32 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Statutory guidance to the Visits to Former Looked After Children in Detention (England) Regulations 2010 is now available from the DfE.Children in custody who immediately before remand or sentence were looked after by the local authority because they were voluntarily accommodated (under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989) and who are not eligible for care leaving support may have very similar needs to other groups of children from care who end up in custody. Section 15 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 inserted a new section 23ZA into the 1989 Act, imposing a duty on the local authority to visit children who cease to be looked after as a result of certain circumstances.The Visits to Former Looked After Children in Detention (England) Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations) provide for this duty to apply to those children who have ceased to be looked after as a result of being remanded or sentenced to custody and are not eligible for leaving care support.This statutory guidance and the 2010 regulations set out how local authorities should carry out their responsibilities to this group of children in custody: the responsible local authority must appoint a representative to visit the child to assess their needs. the representative must make recommendations about any appropriate advice, support and assistance needed by the child, which where necessary, could include arranging for their accommodation on release, which might involve planning for them to be looked after again. Go to theDfE Websiteto find out more about these and othe related guidance and regulations. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=31 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=31 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT That was the verdict of the Children and Young People Now Best Corporate Parent Award panel, which selected Telford & Wrekin Council as this years winner. The Corporate Parenting team beat off competition from four other shortlisted entries including Birmingham City Council, Haringey Virtual School, Solihull MBC and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to win the award. This award recognises the local authority or care provider that demonstrates the biggest improvement in outcomes for looked-after children or young people in areas such as health, education or participation. Judges said they were looking for examples of exceptional teamwork, joint working or activity above and beyond the call of duty. Telford & Wrekin Councils winning entry saw the authority turn to the Bard to raise the aspirations and improve the career prospects of young people in care. Working in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Step Up With Shakespeare project involved young people at every stage. Councillor Stephen Burrell, cabinet member for children and young people, said: This is fantastic news and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the Step Up With Shakespeare project from the Corporate Parenting team but most of all the young people themselves for making it such a success. We can be very proud of this achievement and the national recognition that comes with winning the award. Read more http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=27 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=27 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT On 1st April 2011 regulations and statutory guidance revising the legal framework for local authority work with looked after children will come in to force, and planning for these changes needs to start now. The central spine of the new regulatory framework, the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (England) 2010 and the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010, is now available from the DfE website, the remaining parts of the revised legal framework for looked after children will be made available in the coming months.The DfE recommends that local authorities consider their plans for implementation at the earliest possible opportunity to allow enough time to implement changes to frontline and management practice, in particular working arrangements with local agencies and services. As part of implementation of these regulations and guidance the DfE are asking authorities to: Ensure that key personnel (training and service leads) attend DfEs regional train the trainer events in February and March 2011 Plan for their organisations internal training dissemination Use the now available central spine of this framework to begin their implementation work The DfE is now working with partners to provide information and training to help the sector implement these changes. They will be making training materials available and holding training events to facilitate local authorities in providing the training their staff need. Further details regarding this will be made available shortly. See the DfE presentation on the implementation of the new LAC framework. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=25 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=25 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT A4E is running a series of free one-day workshops until 2010 designed to better equip the ages of 16- 25, who are not in education, employment or training, supporting them to become more financially capable. This training is funded by financial service authority (FSA). The course is linked to five recognised characteristics of financial capability, namely: Making end meets Keeping track of your financial position Staying informed Planning ahead Choosing products All delegate will leave the training with a pack that include Fairbridge toolkit which is full of ideas for how to embed what you have learnt in to practice. It also included citizen advice financial capability guide and a handbook with all you need to know about banking and saving credit, debt, budgeting and benefits. For further information please visit: www.youngpeopleandmoney.co.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=26 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=26 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Through an inspirational film care leavers from Huddersfield University seek to inform other young people in care and leaving care about the possibility of going to university. Three young people talk about their experience of going into higher education, what help is available from local authorities and universities andhow they got over the barriers they faced to get to uni and get a degree. So if you want to promote higher education to young people or are thinking about going to university yourself watch the video. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=30 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=30 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT A list of famous and successful care leavers is being published in an attempt to improve the image of the care system and counter negative stereotypes. It is hoped the list — Know your Care Leaver A to Z! — will provide inspiring role models for children in care and motivate local authorities and those involved in the care system to achieve more for the young people with whom they work. The list includes film stars Steve McQueen and Marilyn Monroe, broadcaster David Akinsanya, athlete Kriss Akabusi, Big Issue founder John Bird and actor Samantha Morton. Mike Lindsay, head of advice at the Office of the Childrens Rights Director, who has compiled the list, said: "Hopefully, the publication will challenge the game-changers in local authorities, policy-making and service provision to realise that there is much more that could be achieved for looked-after children and care leavers, by looking for inspiration from the many successful stories that have originated from care." Lindsay wants the list to continue growing and is encouraging other successful care leavers to come forward to add their names. Read the full list. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=29 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=29 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The enquiry launched by Labour MP Lisa Nandy and Conservative MP Edward Timpson, with support from the University and College Union will examine how the system can be changed to improve their educational outcomes for looked-after children. Nandy, MP for Wigan and education select committee member, and Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich and a former family lawyer, are leading the inquiry. The inquiry has already issued a call for written evidence and the first oral evidence session took place on 2 November. Findings and recommendations will be published next year. Read more at: Children and Young People Now http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=23 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=23 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The report sets out the views of 50 children from 24 local authorities on their experiences of coming into care. Dr Roger Morgan, the Childrens Rights Director for England, has just released this report based on a web survey undertaken with children who had recently come into care. The key findings of this survey are: few children thought that more help before coming into care would have kept them out of care most thought that they had come into care at the right time (though some thought they could have come into care earlier) and although many did not want to come into care at the time, by the time of their first statutory review, seven out of ten thought it was right that they had been brought into care and three quarters thought coming into care had improved their lives. The Childrens Rights Director said, As always, the childrens experiences and perceptions are extremely thought provoking especially as in these days of resource pressure, they are seeking not more resource, but extensions of already recognised good practice. That makes this a particularly useful report for the current times. Read the full report. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=22 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=22 Tue, 9 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The case involved a 20 year old former unaccompanied asylum seeking child from Eritrea, and it was found that local authorities must, where appropriate, accommodate young asylum seekers leaving care. R (on the application of SO) v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Theyoung person hadarrived in the UK in 2007 and was accommodated by Barking and Dagenham. The issue addressed was whether or not Barking and Dagenham owed a duty to provide him with accommodation and support as a care leaver after he turned 18. It was found that local authorities must, where appropriate, accommodate young asylum seekers leaving care, and not rely on them receiving asylum support from the UK Border Agency (previously carried out by the National Asylum Support Service and generally still referred to as NASS). Read the briefing from The Childrens Legal Centre http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=21 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=21 Wed, 3 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT As of 31 October 2010 several changes have been introduced that affect Childrens Trust Boards, children and young peoples plan and the duty to cooperate. In particular: While Childrens Trust Boards are not immediately being legally revoked theyare no longer being prescribed in Government policy. The statutory guidance and regulations have been removed soBoards are no longer required to develop, publish or review the children and young peoples plan. The ‘duty to cooperate will be maintained for most relevant partners but the forthcoming Education Bill will, subject to the will of Parliament, exempt schools from this. The Government has also indicated its intention toremove Jobcentre Plus from the list of relevant partners. TheGovernment has however stated that that they have no plans to repeal the legislation requiring local authorities to appoint lead members and directors of childrens services. You can read more about these changeson the DfE website. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=20 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=20 Wed, 3 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Childrens Minister highlighted his vision on children in care and care leavers in his speech to the Annual Leaving Care. The Childrens minister, Tim Loughton outlined three priorities: Reducing red tape Better quality placements Fairness He stressed that the new guidance and regulationsstreamline requirements on local authorities. Loughton also highlighted the successes of several DFE funded programmes including: Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Staying Put which supports young people to remain in foster placements after 18 From Care2Work the employability programme cooridinated by NCAS. Loughton stressed that "As the collective corporate parents of these children, it is our responsibility to ensure they get the start in life they deserve." Read the full speech http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=24 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=24 Mon, 1 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT To celebrate National Care Leavers Week, The Who Cares? Trust is launching Dont write us off - a campaign run by young people in and from care to challenge stereotypes and preconceptions about the care system. The project will run until July next year and involve young people getting involved in a range of creative projects including photography, web development and film making. Go to Who cares? website to find out more. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=17 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=17 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Our new website is a one-stop shop for information about how to support looked after children to make a successful transition to adulthood. The site, leavingcare.org includes material related to both children in care and care leavers. It will be useful for looked after childrens services, leaving care services and related professionals as well as young people themselves. We hope to feature and collate work with looked after children and care leavers from across the sector, as well as the policy, practice, research and participation work we do here at NCAS. So if you have a resource or event that you would like to share, just let us know. In response to feedback from our users weve been working on improving the usability and look of leavingcare.org so that it quickly directs you to the information you need whether this is to find out about young peoples entitlements, the latest research findings or practice examples from across the country. The work doesnt stop here we are committed to continuing developing the site, so e-mail us to let us know what you think and how we could make it even better. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=19 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=19 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT This new framework, which from April 2011 replaces the old guidance and regulations associated with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, is a must read for all professionals who work with care leavers. These regulations and guidance are designed to ensure care leavers are given the same level of care and support their peers would expect from a reasonable parent and that they are provided with the opportunities and chances needed to help them move successfully to adulthood. The Department for Education (DFE) are replacing the whole suite of guidance and regulations around how local authorities should support young people in and from care. Go to the DFE website to find out more about these and other related guidance and regulations. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=18 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=18 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum facilitates a regular programme of Learning and Development days on current issues for Local Authorities and teams working with Care Leavers. After a number of requests, these days have now been opened up to non-members for a small fee. The days offer a focussed learning and sharing opportunity for managers and front line workers who want updates on current issues, legislation and to explore ways to develop and improve services to Care Leavers based on good practice examples. The days count towards GSCC post registration training and learning requirements and evidence of attendance can be provided. They take place between 10.30am and 4.00pm at the Resource Centre, Holloway Road London. Planned days and themes are; 24th November Health and Wellbeing 20th January Accommodation 1 10th February Accommodation 2 The fee is being kept as low as possible to encourage attendance and is 99+vat. This will befree to all the bench marking member. This will include lunch and handouts. For more details contact; Andy Carter at andy.carter@catch-22.org.uk http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=8 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=8 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT From Care2Work are launching a new resource to support the employability agenda for local authorities.The FromCare2Work Virtual Enquiry Network will enable links across all national leads in local authorities - to enable peer support and learning.If you have an issue about employability in your authority and want to ask others a question or if you want to share something that is going well: E-mail us at FC2W@catch-22.org.uk We will ensure all local authority leads receive the question, a timescale to feedback and we will collate the responses for all. The From Care2Work team http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=16 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=16 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT This new joint guidance from National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is for anyone who has a role in promoting the quality of life (that is, the physical health, and social, educational and emotional wellbeing) of looked-after children and young people. To help implement the guidance NICE will also be publishing : A self assessment tool - to be used for monitoring local practice will be available on 1 December 2010. A guide to resources - to signpost to practical resources that will help organisations to implement the guidance will be available on 12 January 2011. Go to NICE website to read the guidance and find out more. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=14 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=14 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Catch22 are launching the next phase of the Ready or Not campaign which goes live today. This campaign is calling for more support for young people as they make the transition to adulthood. Catch22 are calling on the Government to remove the arbitrary age limits to services and for better coordination of services at a local level so that young people can get the support they need. This phase of the campaign is all about getting our young people involved. Catch22 want to encourage as many young people as possible to email their MP asking them to support the campaign - see the Catch22 website. No need to know who the local MP is, all they have to do is enter their postcode and the website will find the MP for you. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=9 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=9 Mon, 4 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The government consultation on welfare reform ‘21st Century Welfare closed on 1 October 2010 - NCAS response focused on how the system could be improved to support young people in and from care. Over the past two years NCAS has been working with young people, front line services, sector specialist and civil servants to find solutions to the barriers that young people leaving care face in relation to the welfare benefits system. In March 2010 we published a report ‘What could make the difference: Care leavers and the welfare benefits system. This report summarised the barriers faced by young people leaving care and made a series of key recommendations for reform. In our response to the we have summarised the findings of the report in relation to the questions in the consultation on 21st Century Welfare. Read NCAS 21st Century Welfare consultation response http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=15 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=15 Fri, 1 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT NCAS will be working with Loughborough Universityto assesthe extent to which the Staying Put pilots have helped care leavers achieve better outcomes. We will be analysing the views and experiences of care leavers to explore the nature, extent and quality of care and their views on the stability and suitability of their final placements and satisfaction with outcomes. The evaluation aims to assess the extent to which Staying Put meets the objectives and to ascertain the costs and benefits of the pilot compared to standard leaving care provision and that offered under Right2BCared 4 A key element of the project is that it will involve peer researchers: young people aged over 18 who have spent time in local authority care will play an important part in designing publicity for the study, recruiting young people and conducting surveys and interviews. For more information please go on DfE website to read more http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=7 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=7 Fri, 1 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The September 2010 edition of Keynotes, the magazine for the leaving care world, focuses on the findings from the Right2BCared4 and Staying Put pilots. The pilots were established as part of the Care Matters programme to improve the outcomes for young people in and from care by respectively supporting them to stay in care until 18 and to remain with foster carers post-18. In addition to getting an update on the latest policy and practice resources, read the magazine to find out more about : the findings from the pilot evaluations; the experience of peer researchers involved; how different local authorities have implemented their pilots; and how similar schemes have been developed outside the pilot authorities. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=13 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=13 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT This NCAS briefing looks at a recent (July 2010) High Court judgment, R on the applic. of A v. LB Lambeth (2010), which considered whether the local authority had failed to assess a former relevant young persons needs and produce a pathway plan, because the plan was produced by the personal adviser. What are the implications for practice? NCAS does not give legal advice and the implications for practice will vary depending on how the local authority structures its services. Therefore, this briefing only stresses points that the local authorities may wish to consider in relation to local practice. All local authorities are responsible for ensuring their practice is legally compliant and are encouraged to discuss the implications of this case with their legal department. Read the briefing on R on the applic. of A v. LB Lambeth judgment http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=12 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=12 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Are you curious about what we have been doing over the past year to make the difference for young people in and from care? NCAS review 2009/10 gives an overview of our work to: Provide advice and information to the sector Positively influence government Encourage networking and coordination Involve young people Develop local services Improve the evidence base Download NCAS review 2009/10 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=11 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=11 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Employment handbook was designed to prepare and support care leavers into employment, and has been written in consultation with young people and care leavers who have experienced a variety of employability opportunities. The handbook can be used in conjunction with young people to prepare them for the World of Work with sections covering: Employment Options; What to expect from an Employer; What an Employer will expect from you; Employment rights, valuable contact details. Within the handbook is an easy to use Employment checklist which encourages young people to ensure they receive an adequate induction in their new role. You can download a guide to employment for free Other products coming soon from the From Care2Work team Employers handbook- guide to employers about delivering work programmes for care leavers Employment engagement booklet- resource for local authorities to engage with local employers Career planning tool- framework to support young people plan for their futures From Care2Work virtual network- enabling information sharing across local authorities To find out more, please speak to your From Care2Work contact. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=10 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=10 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is calling for examples of good and promising practice that supports service transitions for young people with psychological, emotional or behavioural problems. SCIEs mission is to identify and spread knowledge about good and promising practice to the large and diverse social care workforce.This is your chance to inform future guidance in this area, share good practice and support the development of a range of tools to support commissioners, managers and practitioners. To find out more about the kind of practice the SCIE is interested and information on how to submit your examplescontact Annie Hedges, Project Manager at OPM on ahedges@opm.co.uk or 020 7239 0889. http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=6 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=6 Thu, 9 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT This booklet aims to help care leavers understand the support available within the benefits system. It is also useful for social workers, independent reviewing officers, personal adviser and other practitioners helping young people through the transition from care. Young people have contributed to every stage of making this booklet. It was developed by NCAS policy trainee, Carol Packman, in consultation with West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber Care Leavers Participation Forums and the London Borough of Merton Children in Care Council. The content of this booklet has been verified by the Department of Work and Pensions as of summer 2010. You can download the benefits guide for free and we will be giving sample copies to all local authorities we work with. Additional copies can be ordered for 90p + VAT (minimum order 10 copies) by e-mailing ncas@catch-22.org.ukYou can also download a flier advertising the guide to display to tell young people and workers about the guide.This guide was developed following findings from NCAS policy work on care leavers and benefits. Read the What could make the difference - Care leavers and the welfare benefits system report to find out more about this work http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=38 http://leavingcare.org/?page_ID=14&news_ID=38 Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT YIPPEE (Young people from a public care background pathways to education in Europe)is the acronym of an ambitious five-country study aiming to explore the factors - cultural, social, psychological and practical which encourage and enable young people to continue their education beyond the school years. YIPPEE (Young people from a public care background pathways to education in Europe)is the acronym of an ambitious five-country study aiming to explore the factors - cultural, social, psychological and practical which encourage and enable young people to continue their education beyond the school years. Funded under the EU Framework 7 programme, it focuses on a particular group of young men and women: those who have spent part or all of their childhood in public care. The five countries involved are England, Hungary, Spain, Sweden and Denmark. The English national report is now avallable from their website. This contains some revealing observations about the educational outcomes of looked after children and care leavers, particulary around the impact of engagement in leisure and social activities and the role of positive peer groups amongst other findings. There are a list of recommendations arising from their findings, which will have implications for the development of educational components of leaving care services. Read the report. Read more about the YIPPEE study.