Ofsted heaps praise on care leaver support scheme
Joe Lepper
Thursday, May 14, 2015
A government-backed initiative to support care leavers has been singled out for praise by Ofsted which has awarded a council's children's services department the first "outstanding" rating for the service area.
A report by the inspectorate on Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council’s children’s services gave the authority an overall ”good” rating, but care leaver services received an “outstanding” grade.
Inspectors singled out a project designed to improve care leaver support – the New Belongings project, designed by the Care Leavers’ Foundation – as one of the factors behind the overall quality of care leaver services.
“Care leavers receive an exceptionally high-quality service from the local authority and partner agencies, which has been sustained over time and has delivered many benefits for care leavers,” the inspection report said.
“Progression to a ‘gold standard’ service has been due in part to the opportunity seized by senior managers to participate in the national New Belongings project.”
Inspectors said young people were “very positive” about the service they receive.
“They feel safe where they live and are pleased with the help they get in finding accommodation,” the report said.
“They value highly the help they receive to achieve their aims and aspirations.
“Participation in the New Belongings project has enabled a systemic focus on the priorities set as a result of consultation with care leavers.
“The research base and external rigour and challenge provided by the New Belongings project, and the involvement of two care leavers, have each added value.
“The palpable and passionate commitment and persistence by all the staff involved with care leavers to provide realistic experiential leaning opportunities for young people is one of the most impressive aspects of the service.”
The New Belongings project was initially piloted in nine councils between March 2013 and October 2014.
In March this year, the government announced additional funding of £185,000 so it could be extended to a further 21 council areas – taking the total up to 30, around one in five of all councils.
The New Belongings project consists of three central elements: a survey of all care leavers locally to get their views of services; an assessment of how the care leavers' charter is being used to shape services; and finding ways to improve links between local communities and care leavers.
Janet Rich, trustee at the Care Leavers' Foundation, said New Belongings aims to “reignite passion and aspiration” in leaving care teams so that care leavers can receive better support.
“Each New Belongings authority will shape its own plans and determine its own priorities as it embarks on the New Belongings journey, however all are expected to look at their values, and how well they listen to care leavers and engage communities, as well as joining up local services to ensure care leavers don’t fall through the net.”
Independent evaluation of the pilot found councils involved had made “remarkable” progress in the way they supported care leavers.
