Issue - meetings

The Head of Corporate Parenting and Fostering provided an update on the Care Leavers Offer and advised that as per the ILACS framework, all local authorities must provide a dedicated Care Leavers Hub. Middlesbrough’s hub had been developed with the collaboration of young people in the Borough and was located in the Live Well Centre. The hub was aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 who were due to leave or had left care and provided a base for support with facilities such as a gym and living area. The Live Well Centre was a Council-ran building and a permanent venue.

Members queried the funding timescale for the hub and it was confirmed that it would likely become part and parcel of the financial strategy moving forward.

A Member also queried how young people were made aware of the hub and any activities that took place. It was confirmed that the Personal Advisors would keep young people up to date with scheduled activities in addition to social media and word of mouth. Constant engagement also took place with young people to ensure the hub and its provision was aligned with their needs. This was echoed by the Voice and Change Ambassador. Members requested that information/activities regarding the Care Leavers Hub be circulated to Councillors and that Officers suggested ways that Members could support during ‘National Care Leavers/Experienced Month’ to raise awareness/celebrate successes.

AGREED that:

1.      Information/activities regarding the Care Leavers Hub to be circulated to Councillors.

2.      Officers to put forward ways that Members could support during ‘National Care Leavers/Experienced Month’ and this to be circulated to Councillors.

3.      That the information provided was received and noted