Health and Care Partners in Northamptonshire sign Care Leaver Covenant
During National Care Leaver’s Week (28th October to 3rd November) health and care partners have affirmed their commitment to care leavers across the county by signing up to the Care Leavers Covenant.
NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), on behalf of health partners, North Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust have all signed the Covenant. They join West Northamptonshire Council who have signed previously.
The Covenant is a promise made by the private, public and voluntary sectors to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently.
The aim of the Care Leaver Covenant, to which organisations commit, is to provide additional support for those leaving care; making available a different type of support and expertise around five principles. Alongside Independent Living, these are:
- Education, Employment and Training
- Safety and Security
- Mental and Physical Health
- Finance
To support the five principles, partners have developed local opportunities to support and widen access for these young people. This includes:
The Pathfinders Programme
The Pathfinders programme prepares and supports Care Experienced Young People to enter the workforce. The programme is delivered in partnership with providers and has been co-developed by Care Experienced Young People (CEYP), local colleges, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and health and care providers.
Care Leaver Prescription Pre-Payment Certificate
Northamptonshire ICB is currently running a one-year pilot scheme funding prepayment prescription certificates for care experienced young people (care leavers) aged 16 to 25 years who are not entitled to free prescriptions under current NHS exemptions.
Created employment and training opportunities
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT), North and West Northamptonshire Councils have:
- Care experienced young people have been employed as champions within the service which enhances knowledge and understanding and brings a different perspective to services.
- A number of care experienced young people have joined the councils and NCT as apprentices.
- A commitment to care leavers who are guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
Development of the local offer
- Continued to link up with organisations and business who can offer opportunities, experiences, support, discounts and donations for care experienced young people.
- As part of care leavers week there will be two local offer showcase events for care experienced young people to attend. One in the North and one in the West.
Naomi Eisenstadt, Chair of Northamptonshire ICB said: “Care leavers may not have the same support networks as their peers and often require extra help as they transition to living independently.
“The signing of the Care Leaver Covenant by ourselves and our partners at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and North and West Northants Councils demonstrates our collective commitment to improving the lives of care leavers, and ensuring they have the same opportunities to lead happy, healthy and independent lives.”
Colin Foster, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust said: “I am thrilled that we have signed the Care Leaver Covenant, which affirms our commitment to care experienced young people.
“We know that care experienced young people face many challenges and they deserve the same opportunities and chances as their peers.
“As an organisation we are enhancing opportunities and improving outcomes for care-experienced young people with employment and training, support, guidance and ensuring we continue to develop our local offer.
“We keep children, young people and families at the heart of all we do and are committed to our continued journey to improve outcomes for them.”
Cllr Scott Edwards, North Northamptonshire Council's Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, said: "We are immensely proud to work with our NHS colleagues and partners to support the Care Leaver Covenant. I also want to encourage businesses and service providers from all industry sectors within our great county to get involved. It is so important that we all give these young adults the best possible start to their independent lives.
"The Covenant compliments and enhances a lot of our existing work in this area and we are committed to continue to proactively improve the lives of young care leavers."
Adele Wylie, Chief Executive Officer at North Northamptonshire Council, said: "Signing this covenant is a very important decision, as it is about caring for the young people in our community. I have the highest aspirations for each and every one of our young care leavers and I am delighted to be signing on behalf of all our teams at North Northamptonshire Council who I know are determined to support them to thrive and fulfil their ambitions and dreams."