This week, Milton Keynes Council is celebrating Corporate Parenting Week. Across Milton Keynes today, there are over 400 children and young people under the care of the council.
Unfortunately, over half of young people leaving care in Milton Keynes are not in employment, education or training, according to the latest figures.
At an event in Civic tomorrow (22 October), local businesses are being asked to think about the opportunities they can provide Care Leavers and support the council’s ‘Favoured status’ approach.
Any Care Leaver applying to the council for a job, providing they have the qualifications would be guaranteed an interview. Going forward, Care Leavers will also be exempt from paying Council Tax up to the age of 25. The council believes this new approach will help to level the field when it comes to the many barriers faced by this vulnerable group of young people.
Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families will also announce the council’s new Education, Training and Employment Strategy for Children in Care and Care Leavers. It sets out a plan to “close the gap” between Children in Care and their peers.
Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “For all of us, what happens during our 18-25 years will have a life-changing impact. This is also true for young people leaving care. We must close the gap for this vulnerable group and ensure that they are given the chance to continue learning and developing. Our children in care deserve to reach their full potential and during this week, we want to highlight some of the challenges they face.”
Cllr Moriah Priestley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Community Partnerships said: “Milton Keynes is a thriving city with a fast-growing and successful commercial heart. We want Milton Keynes to be a place of opportunity for everyone. We are calling on our business community to support our pledge and consider how they can help our young people via education, training or work.”
Milton Keynes Council recently evolved its Corporate Parenting Panel to directly include the views and experience of Care Leavers. In September, Keren Kassanda, the first Care Leaver in MK to reach Oxford University, joined the Panel as an expert voice.
The council has been developing a range of ways to further support children in care. A Virtual School offers education and employment training to Foster Carers whilst a multi-agency Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) working group meets regularly to explore the issues.
