Bath & North East Somerset Council has been praised for the support it gives to young people leaving care. Ofsted inspectors said they are encouraged to “fulfil their ambitions”.
The education inspectorate looked at the council’s arrangements for care leavers aged 18 to 25 during a two-day visit at the start of December. It focused on how staff support the most vulnerable care leavers and help them prepare for adult life.
Inspectors said the culture and warmth of the council was a strength. They said young people benefit from a stable leadership team and workforce – with care leavers building “enduring relationships with people who care for them and about them”.
The council was also praised for being ambitious for young people leaving care, with inspectors saying the children’s services team recognises that “there is always more to do”.
The report said: “Care leavers are helped by workers who advocate strongly for them and who support them to achieve their best outcomes. Young people said that they feel supported and held by their personal advisers and that senior leaders listen to them.”
Inspectors found care leavers who are former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were “exceptionally well supported with their mental health and diverse needs”, with their advisers recognising the challenge of settling into the area.
The report added: “Young people are encouraged by their personal advisers to fulfil their ambitions through study or work. A training and employment mentor has a wealth of networks and links to ensure the best opportunities for care leavers.”
Mandy Bishop, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s chief operating officer, said: “I am very pleased that inspectors acknowledged our commitment to getting services right for care experienced young people. They also acknowledged we are self-aware and know that there is always more to do which reflects our continuous ambitions for our young people.
“Our children’s social care team should be very proud of the outcome of this inspection which shines a light on the council’s purpose of improving people’s lives.”
A summary of the findings can be found on the Ofsted website here.
Join Somerset Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Somerset Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Somerset Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.