Please provide:
1. A copy of the local authority’s ‘local offer’ to care leavers that was in place on 1 October 2024.
This information can be found at the following link Devon’s Local Offer to Care Leavers.
2. A copy of the local authority’s financial policy as related to care leavers that was in place on 1 October 2024, and as the local authority are required to have in accordance with statutory guidance.
This information can be found at the following link Care Leavers Finance Policy 2024 Version1.2.
3. A copy of any current local authority practice guidance, management guidance, protocols, processes, strategies or plans associated with supporting care leavers to engage with higher education or attend university.
Please refer to the support for young people to access education, employment and training in the Local Offer at the following link Children In Care and Care Leavers.
4. A copy of the local authority’s last self-assessment submitted to an annual engagement meeting with Ofsted or an Ofsted standard or short inspection, whichever was most recent. Please do not provide a copy of the self-assessment submitted to any focused or monitoring visit.
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Prejudice to the Effective Conduct of Public Affairs).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, it’s disclosure would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice and inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation and would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in free and frank discussions being able to take place and that the loss of frankness and candour would damage the quality of advice and deliberation and lead to poorer decision-making. Our staff would not be able to express themselves openly, honestly and completely if this information was released.
The Council’s “qualified person” for the purpose of the Act, has stated that the exemption applies, therefore the information is withheld.
5. The total number of care leavers aged 18-25 eligible for support by your local authority effective 1 October 2024 (or if data is not available effective that date, the number today). For clarity, this and 6, 7 and 8 below should include both ‘former relevant’ and ‘qualifying’ care leavers.
1046 were eligible for support.
6. The number of care leavers aged 18-25 in your local authority that were engaged in higher education study effective 1 October 2024 (or if data is not available effective that date, the number today) to include whether the course is
a. undergraduate
b. or postgraduate
c. other
(if a breakdown is not available of the type of course, please provide the total number in higher education study).
We only have that information for those who are open to the service as we won’t collect information on Young People who have not agreed to stay in touch with us. 114 engaged in Higher/Further Education.
7. The total number of care leavers aged 18-25 eligible for support by your local authority effective the date of the last SSDA903 return.
The SSDA903 Return is set as of the 31st of March each year, as at that date 1021 young people were eligible for support.
8. The number of care leavers aged 18-25 in your local authority that were engaged in higher education study effective the date of the last SSDA903 return.
As at the 31st March 2024, 94 Care Experienced Children and Young People (CEYP) were engaged in higher/further education. Please note this is only based on those we were providing a service to.