Barnet Council, where children's services are currently rated "inadequate" by Ofsted, said it is the first local authority in London to launch its own charity to help looked-after children fulfil their aspirations.
Live Unlimited, a registered charity, has been set up specifically to fund the sort of additional activities that families might provide for their children outside of school hours. It will provide support to the 326 looked-after children and 216 care leavers in Barnet.
The council said the charity will complement existing services and support the council provides. Looked-after children and care leavers will be able to apply for individual small grants for activities such as football or ballet lessons, theatre trips and out-of-school activities that support them in fulfilling their own hopes and dreams.
Barnet Council chief executive and chair of trustees at Live Unlimited, John Hooton, said: "Improving outcomes for our looked-after children and care leavers is incredibly important to us.
"While many children in care thrive, we know, statistically, they can in some cases have poorer life chances and outcomes.
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