News / care leavers
Support and council tax exemption for Bristol’s care leavers
Some of Bristol’s most vulnerable people stand to get a better chance in life thanks to a pioneering project.
Care leavers are around twice as likely to be out of education, employment or training as their peers and also face falling into debt when they are hit with council tax collection after moving into their own home for the first time.
Bristol City Council has secured a share of up to £2.2m in funding to launch a trail-blazing pilot scheme aiming to offer more support and boost opportunities.
is needed now More than ever
1625 Independent People is a Bristol-based charity that supports young people at risk of homelessness and offers support into work and training
The project will be led by 1625 Independent People and will focus on supporting young people, many of whom have suffered trauma and issues with mental health, and are in danger of slipping through the net, into education, training, or employment.
In addition, cabinet members have agreed to implement a discretionary rate relief for care leavers after a 2015 report by The Children’s Society revealed the group is vulnerable to spiralling debts due to council tax.
Helen Godwin
“I’m delighted to say that Bristol, along with 1625 Independent Children, has been successful in securing funding from the department of education to deliver a social impact bond,” said Helen Godwin, the cabinet member for children’s services, presenting the report to cabinet on Tuesday.
“In 2015, the number of care leavers in education, training or employment was 41 per cent. This has since improved, but the chances of not being in education, employment and training is still much higher for care leavers than their peers.
“And as long as this is the case, we must continue to focus our energies and resources through innovative schemes such as this to make sure care leavers have opportunities to thrive in the world of work.”
The government funding will be shared between Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) councils and the pilot will run for four years.
Godwin said that she was proud to confirm Bristol will be granting council tax relief to all care leavers who remain in the city when they turn 18 – meaning they are exempt from paying.
She added: “Over 40 councils are ahead of us in doing this, but we are one of the first to ensure that care leaders are eligible up to their 25th birthday so they have continue support.”
The council tax relief is estimated to cost the council around £33,100 per year, a figure that could rise if more eligible people come forward.
Read more: ‘Bristol remains a city of challenges’
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