Issue - meetings

[To receive an update on support provided to care leavers throughout Christmas 2021.]

Jazmine Walker, Head of Service - Children and Young People in Care presented the Support for Care Leavers Over Christmas 2021 report and highlighted salient points. The report outlined the support provided to Care Leavers during Christmas 2021 facilitated through the REACH team over the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

It was reported that the Christmas period often impacted on the vulnerabilities of Wolverhampton’s young people who have left Wolverhampton’s care, leaving them more isolated, struggling financially and at risk of exploitation. The report set out how the service took steps to mitigate against this, whilst maintaining current COVID-19 guidelines and protecting the health and safety of this group of young people. 80 such young people had been identified as being in this position and having no contact with anyone over the holiday period.

The support included gifts, confectionary and cards donated from various sources to ensure the young people felt valued and that they were being thought of and gifts were chosen with each individual in mind. Financial support was also provided to assist with utilities and food, as well as food delivery vouchers for the 45 young people living out of City to allow to them to benefit from ordering a takeaway meal in the cuisine of their choice.

COVID restrictions had prevented gatherings from being held over the Christmas period however the events were postponed and survival guides provided containing strategies on coping over the holiday period.

Resolved:

That the Support for Care Leavers Over Christmas 2021 report be received.