Wakefield Council and WDH pledge combined support to young people

Wakefield Council and housing organisation WDH have signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ which sets out how they will work together to support young people leaving care.

The document is a formal pledge to work collaboratively to help young care leavers to secure suitable accommodation and to manage the responsibilities of becoming a tenant, as they take their next steps towards independence.

The agreement sets out how the organisations will offer support and work together to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Cllr Margaret Isherwood, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Wakefield Council, said:  “Care leavers face many unique challenges as they enter adult life. Our role is to support them as they move to the next stage of their lives and plan to create a bright future for themselves.

“We want all young people in our district to be happy, healthy and safe, and to have the right support systems in place to help them to achieve their potential.  The new Memorandum of Understanding with WDH will help to build on the current support that we offer as we recognise that having access to safe, secure and good quality accommodation is very important so that young people can thrive.”

Andy Wallhead, Chief Executive at WDH, said: “We believe that young people are the district’s most valuable resource and that a safe, secure home is exactly what our young care leavers need to give them the best possible chance of success. The Memorandum of Understand is a commitment we have made which will strengthen our partnership with Wakefield Council and help to support young people to manage their own future and develop the skills they need to live confidently in a home of their own.”

As part of the agreement, carers leavers which wish to live independently and have been assessed as able to manage the responsibilities of becoming a tenant, will have support of an adviser to find a suitable home.

Where possible, the Council and WDH will try and help young people to stay close to already established support networks in the community and close to transport, education and employment opportunities.

If there are difficulties with the tenancy, staff from both organisations will work together to tackle any issues and help the young person to maintain their home.

Wakefield Council has a Local Offer for Care Leavers that sets out how young people can be helped to manage the many different responsibilities of adult life such as taking care of their health, education, accommodation and finances.

Each young person has a personal advisor who works with them and a wide range of other professionals to discuss their plans and to provide help and advice to reach their individual goals.

For more information on the Local Offer visit: www.wakefield.gov.uk/localoffer