Decision details

Upon the invitation of the Chair, theHousing Options Manager presented the report which explained that West Sussex County Council and the seven Districts and Boroughs within West Sussex had developed a joint working Protocol for Care Leavers to ensure that the accommodation needs and associated support in the community for young people leaving care were identified and procedures for agencies to work in partnership were put in place to give Care Leavers the best possible start to their adult lives.

Members then took part in a full debate on the item where a number of points were raised including:

·       confirmation was sought on what care leavers were covered by the protocol

·       the need for ongoing support to be available for those who find themselves in difficulty with accommodation subsequently

·       the number and age of care leavers this protocol applied to

·       the availability and suitability of social housing stock

·       confirmation of the definition of ‘suitable accommodation’

·       whether other support was also made available, e.g. budgeting, financial etc.

The Housing Options Manager provided Members with responses to all points raised during the debate. It was confirmed that the protocol applied to care leavers aged between 18 and 25 in need of accommodation support for the first time (with other policies covering other situations), that there were 279 care leavers recorded across West Sussex and of the 51 housed in social housing 10 of those were in Arun, and that Arun worked with a range of partners to support young people identify their needs (educational, training, employment, budgeting advice etc.) to get the best outcome for their accommodation needs and ensure they could maintain their tenancy.

The recommendation was then proposed by Councillor Gregory and seconded by Councillor Mrs Cooper. By unanimous vote,

The Committee

RESOLVED

That the Joint Working Protocol for Care Leavers be adopted.