Issue - meetings

This report is to update the Children and Young People Panel on the activity of the BaNES Leaving Care team over the previous 12 months.

The Divisional Director for Children, Young People, Specialist Services introduced this item to the Panel. He said that B&NES offers a good package of support to its young people.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the Panel could receive a progress report on NEETs in September.

The Divisional Director for Children, Young People, Specialist Services replied that the Council was in touch with a high number of young people and that there will always be a difficult cohort to work with. He added that the service will always look to improve its figures.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what was meant by the term ‘In touch’.

 The Divisional Director for Children, Young People, Specialist Services replied that it was a very broad term and that a range of mechanisms can be used including social media. He said that he was aware of one particular case that used text messages a great deal.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what happens regarding the 39% that are not accounted for.

The Divisional Director for Children, Young People, Specialist Services replied that some young people will declare that they have a job or in receipt of training when they are not.

Edward Joseph asked if there was any correlation to be made between the figures for young people ‘Not in touch’ and for young people in unsuitable accommodation.

The Divisional Director for Children, Young People, Specialist Services replied that it was reasonable to suspect that such a correlation exists.

The Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance said that they would look to see if any of those figures could be matched up.