The Careers Officer and Service Manager for Care Leavers and Aftercare presented their report setting out the legal duties of the Council and the steps being taken to support Care Experienced Young People to access education and employment.  The report set out how Thurrock Council was executing its duties in relation to supporting young people over the age of 16 and entitled to a leaving care service to engage in education, employment and training.

Members asked the following questions:

Why are our percentages of EET lower than our statistical neighbours? Was it improving? Did you start from a lower baseline?

·              Mental Health was currently a huge area causing barriers and they were working with MIND to address this.

·              Post covid, some services were no longer available and local businesses and local partners were not as engaged as they were pre covid.

Would the provision increase to deal with this?

·              No.  There had been a 25% cut. 

Can we have clearer figures in order to scrutinise against the 70% EET target.  Can clarification be provided of today’s actual percentage?

·              56%

Due to the cuts made to organisations like Duke of Edinburgh/Princes Trust, had there been an impact on wellbeing and opportunities for our young people?

·              Yes.   Services that were available were no longer available to young people.  Barnardo’s had also left Thurrock which had an impact. CSCS card funding cuts had also had an adverse effect.

How do we include SEND young adults in this process? 

·              All SEND were supported and included.

Can SEND figures and data be supplied separately.

·              Yes

Are we engaging with vocational careers and the construction industry?

·              Links were being made to look at all industries and how a CSCS card could be obtained.

Do you link with schools to provide data of school leavers who would be entering your service?  How do you know who needed to access your service?

·              Yes, all children were tracked at year 11 and 12.

·              Used the Virtual School resource.

Could our Care Leavers who have success stories be encouraged to be ambassadors and go into schools.

• This was something that was being worked on.
• It was noted 10% of our Care Leavers were in university.

RESOLVED:

1.1     Members were made aware of the target of 70% of Care Experienced Young People to progress into Employment, Education or Training (EET) following the end of year 11 Studies.

1.2     Members considered and offered challenge to the service about how it is proactive in supporting young people to access EET opportunities including apprenticeship and work experience opportunities as a corporate parent. These opportunities will be brokered via the Inspire hub.

1.3     Members identified and pursued areas where the offer of apprenticeship and work experience opportunities could be improved within the Council and wider community.

1.4     Members requested a report to be submitted to Cabinet to reassess the funding of the Princes Trust, Duke of Edinburgh and other charitable trusts and former partners. To be actioned.

At 9.03pm standing orders were suspended and it was agreed to allow the meeting to continue until 10.00pm