* RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to full Council that:

(1)     The council tax discretionary discount for eligible Derbyshire care leavers aged 18 – 25 be applied from 1 April 2020 and the Care Leaver discretionary discount policy be approved.

(2)     The other elements of the local children in care and care leaver offer (active fostering, employment, skills, apprenticeships and work experience, housing and recruitment of foster carers/supported lodgings) come into force with immediate effect.

(3)     Chesterfield Borough Council continues to work with Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire districts/boroughs and other partners to further develop and improve the children in care and care leaver offer/care leaver covenant for Derbyshire.

(4)     A review of the Chesterfield Borough Council elements of the local care leaver offer is undertaken on an annual basis to ensure continued affordability and effectiveness.

REASON FOR DECISION

To fulfil our duties within the Children and Social Care Act 2017 and provide support for vulnerable young people within the care and leaving the care of Derbyshire County Council.

The Assistant Director – Policy and Communications submitted a report seeking approval for the Council to support and commit to a countywide (Derbyshire excluding Derby City) local offer for children in care and care leavers.

The report referred to the challenges that children in care and care leavers faced and to the proposed agreement between Derbyshire County Council and the Derbyshire District / Borough Councils to collaborate to create one single ‘Local Children in Care and Care Leaver Offer’ for Derbyshire (excluding Derby City). The report detailed the provisions included within the offer.

The report outlined the financial, legal and other risks associated with the proposals, and an equality impact assessment was attached at Appendix 2 to the officer’s report.

* RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to full Council that:

(1)  The council tax discretionary discount for eligible Derbyshire care leavers aged 18 – 25 be applied from 1 April 2020 and the Care Leaver discretionary discount policy be approved.

(2)  The other elements of the local children in care and care leaver offer (active fostering, employment, skills, apprenticeships and work experience, housing and recruitment of foster carers/supported lodgings) come into force with immediate effect.

(3)  Chesterfield Borough Council continues to work with Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire districts/boroughs and other partners to further develop and improve the children in care and care leaver offer/care leaver covenant for Derbyshire.

(4)  A review of the Chesterfield Borough Council elements of the local care leaver offer is undertaken on an annual basis to ensure continued affordability and effectiveness.

REASON FOR DECISION

To fulfil our duties within the Children and Social Care Act 2017 and provide support for vulnerable young people within the care and leaving the care of Derbyshire County Council.