The experience of people who have left care after becoming adults in Reading has been investigated by Ofsted.
Care leavers are defined as young adults who spent time living in the care system as children (looked-after children) and have since left that care.
That applies to people aged 18-25, who may receive ongoing support from children’s services or transition to adult social care.
Services for care leavers are monitored by Ofsted to ensure councils are fulfilling their duties as corporate parents effectively.
Two Ofsted inspectors conducted a monitoring visit of Reading Borough Council’s children’s services for these care leavers.
The inspection covered the experience care leavers with specific needs, for example, unaccompanied asylum seekers, young parents, or those who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
The report states: “The majority of Reading’s care leavers receive effective support; however, not all services are consistently strong.
“There is more to do to ensure the consistent effectiveness of support for particular groups of care leavers, including those with more complex needs.”
The inspectors praised the work of personal assistants, called PAs in the report, for positively supporting young people, and even providing emotional support for care leavers during pregnancy.
The report states: “ Timely referrals to charities and the
persistent ‘checking in’ on care leavers ensures they can access and take up
midwifery, early help and other forms of community-based support in early
parenthood.”
However, it was noted that case-loads were greater than senior leaders at the council would like.
Identified weaknesses included consistency in support for care leavers in custody, and the number of those not in education, employment or training (EET) has risen.
Furthermore, while care leavers who live in or close to Reading benefit from a local drop-in service, groups and forums, those who live further away may miss out.
Although they are seen in line with expected visiting frequencies, for
some of the more vulnerable and isolated young people, the contact is not sufficient.
His Majesty’s Inspectors for this visit were Amanda Maxwell and Steve Bailey.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are pleased to see that the latest report from Ofsted acknowledges our continued focus on practice improvement and recognises our strengths, particularly the strong and trusting relationships established between our care leavers and their personal advisers.
“The report recognises the positive progress we have made, and we remain committed to continuing to drive improvement to secure consistently good practice and improved outcomes for all children and young people, including our care leavers.”
The inspection was held on March 25-26, with the report being published on Monday, May 18.
Care leavers were given a Reading council tax discount until they reach age 25 in October 2023.
