Legislative context for our care leavers' local offer
Children and Social Work Act 2017
Section 1 outlines 7 Corporate Parenting Principles local authorities must have regard to in their work with these children and young people. They are:
- to act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of those children and young people
- to encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings
- to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people
- to help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners
- to promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes, for those children and young people
- for those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work
- to prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living
Section 2 requires local authorities to publish information about the services it offers to care leavers which may assist them in preparing for adulthood and independent living. These services may include health and wellbeing, education and training, employment, accommodation, and participation in society. It is distinct from the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) local offer stipulated by the Children and Families Act 2014.
Section 3 requires local authorities to appoint a personal adviser for care leavers who request one up until the age of 25, regardless of whether the young person intends to pursue education or training. The local authority also has a duty to carry out an assessment of the young person’s needs and to provide the necessary advice and support.
Content of offer for our care leavers' local offer
The legislation outlines what information should be contained in the Local Offer:
- services which the local authority offers for care leavers as a result of its functions under the Children Act 1989
- other services which the local authority offers that may assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living. Services which may assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living include services relating to:
- health and wellbeing
- relationships
- education and training
- employment
- accommodation
- participation in society
The legislation also refers to services offered to care leavers offered by others, that the information should be known our “local offer for care leavers”. The offer must be updated and the product of consultation (see next section, “co-production").
The content of the offer should reflect the 7 corporate parenting principles and the recommendations in legislation about what information it should contain.