Council launches charity to support care leavers

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.

"Live Unlimited is a really important way of helping to make sure each child who spends time in our care has the same life chances as everyone else."

Charity trustee Brett Service, who was a Barnet looked-after child himself and now works in Barnet Council's children's service as an apprentice, said: "It is a privilege to be part of a charity that works to inspire Barnet's care experienced young people.

"As a Barnet care leaver myself, I understand the positive impact the work of Live Unlimited will have on the young people who access the services offered by the charity."

Children's services in Barnet were rated "inadequate" In July 2017, after Ofsted uncovered "widespread and serious failures in the services provided to children and their families".

Last month Essex County Council was appointed as "improvement adviser" in Barnet.