Care Leavers Local Offer

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires all local authorities to outline and publish the services and support available to care-experienced young people as they transition to adulthood. This support, known as the 'Local Offer for Care Leavers', details the assistance you can access from the Leaving Care Team - typically from ages 16 to 18 - up until your 25th birthday.

We are proud to introduce Peterborough City Council's Local Offer, designed to support you as you leave our care and begin your journey into adulthood. Our goal is to ensure you have the best opportunities to thrive.

It is important that you know you are not alone and should never hesitate to ask for help. The Local Offer is here to provide the support and opportunities to help you navigate this stage of your life.

As your corporate parent, we are fully committed to providing the highest level of care and support. Every council employee shares this responsibility. We strive to offer a high-quality, aspirational Local Offer that reflects our dedication to your success.

Shaped by the voices of the Children in Care Council and Peterborough Care Leaders, this Local Offer is built around your needs, ensuring you receive the right support, opportunities and encouragement to reach your goals.

We look forward to celebrating your successes as you access the support available. Remember - you are never alone. We are here to help.

Matt Gladstone - Chief Executive
John Gregg - Executive Director for Children and Young People's Services

This sets out seven corporate parenting principles local authorities must follow. They must:

• Act in your best interests and promote your physical and mental health and wellbeing

• Encourage you to express your views, wishes and feelings and we will consider these in decision-making

• Help you to gain access to and make the best use of services provided by the council and its relevant partners

• Promote high aspirations and seek to secure best outcomes for you

• Help you to be safe and to have stability in your home lives, relationships and education or work

• Help prepare you for adulthood and independent living

This part of the law requires local authorities to publish information about the services it has in place for care-experienced young adults to support in preparing for adulthood and living independently. The law says that the information should be known as the ‘Local Offer for Care Leavers’.

A local authority in England must publish information about:

1. Health and wellbeing
2. Relationships
3. Education and training
4. Employment
5. Accommodation
6. Participation in society

Before publishing its Local Offer (and any updated version), local authorities must consult with young people about which of the services and support being offered will help in adulthood and living independently and / or preparing for it.

The Local Offer in Peterborough was agreed following consultation with:

• Peterborough Care Leaders

• Individual consultation with young people

In Peterborough, our Care Leaver Local Offer Lead plays a key role in improving and signposting the support and services available to Care Leavers, while working alongside others involved in the delivery of the Local Offer.