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