Issue - meetings

A needs assessment progress report on care leavers employment opportunities.

The Committee considered a report setting out the employment and training opportunities for care leavers, at the support of the Leaving Care team. It was confirmed that 70.2% of Haringey’s care leavers were currently engaged in education, employment or training which exceeded the national average.

Members proposed that green industries be considered as an area for future focus for employment or training opportunities due to its increasing profile in line with the development of the green agenda.

The Committee were advised of the recent establishment of a 16+ forum consisting of key partners such as Connexions, Haringey Guarantee etc to ensure a co-ordinated approach to prioritising and securing opportunities for care leavers. The forum also aimed to increase links with local businesses and neighbouring boroughs to allow benchmarking of best practice. An Education, Employment and Training Action Plan was also in place to address gaps in provision. Key future targets included improving the promotion of opportunities to young people and staff and data monitoring to allow a targeted approach for those young people identified as not being in education, employment or training.

RESOLVED:

·      That a update report be provided to the Committee in 6 months time to include a breakdown of young people classified as ‘unemployed for other reason’ e.g. due to pregnancy, being in custody etc. In addition to provide information on the support and opportunities available for young care leavers with disabilities.