ANNEX SEVEN

 

Connexions strategy and Connexions service section 8.76 refers

 

 

Social Service and Housing Directorate

 

1. YOUNG PEOPLE IN PUBLIC CARE

1.1       The Social Service  and Housing Directorate is considered to be a major contributor  to the delivery of the Connexions strategy and by providing Personal Advisers  it also makes a contribution to the Connexions Service.

 

1.2       Leaving Care (2000) Act. describes an additional resource to ensure that all young people leaving Public Care will be provided with a  Personal Adviser.

 

1.3       In anticipation of the Connexions Service, two members of the Independence Support Project Team (ISP) successfully completed the Diploma for Personal Advisers course in June 2001. All recently appointed staff and the remaining team members commenced training for the diploma for Personal Adviser in June 2002.

 

1.4       Additional Care Leavers Funding has been made available to Social Services to increase the capacity to provide each Care Leaver with a Personal Adviser. Further details of this funding allocation can be obtained from the Head of Children's services or the Team Leader of the Independence Support Project

 

1.5       The delivery plan identifies an additional, intensively working personal  Advisor to work with the ISP team. Carrying a caseload of eight young people, this Personal Advisor will be able to offer time intensive support. The intensively - working Personal Advisor will be line-managed by the ISP Team Leader.

 

1.6             This team will work to deliver the targets in the business plan.

 

1.7             The housing agencies have a communication connection to the LMC via the Head of Children's Services, or the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator or the Representative from the Rural Community Council.

 

1.8             Staff working for Housing Associations providing a service to vulnerable young people were invited to join the Diploma for Personal Advisers training course in June 2002 . One member of staff is undertaking the course.

 

1.9             The I.W. Director of Social Services and Housing is a South Central Connexions Partnership Board member.

 

1.10         Members of the Family Solutions Team are currently studying for the Diploma for Personal Advisers