Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report seeks approval to extend free access to Recreation and Heritage sites and services to those in Kinship Care and their families in the same way that children in care, their carers and families currently benefit.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. A request from the Children and Young People Select Committee that this extension to free access be considered.

2.2. The expectation of Government that children in care should have free access to local authority leisure provision.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. Free access to Recreation and Heritage sites and services be extended to those in Kinship Care and their families.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report:

1.1. To bring to the attention of the Executive Member a request from the Children and Young People Select Committee to consider extending free access to Recreation and Heritage Department sites and services to those in Kinship Care.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1. Since 2004 a range of Recreation and Heritage services have been available at no charge to children in care, their carers and their families. These range from free access to Countryside sites which charge for parking or admission and Milestones through to library services and courses run at Outdoor Centres such as the Ahoy There sailing programme.

2.2. There are just over 1,000 children in care. However, there are also nearly 100 children in Hampshire who are not in care but due to family circumstances are in Kinship Care arrangements with perhaps grand parents or other close relatives.

3) Key Issues:

3.1. The Government report Care Matters - Time for Change introduces the expectation that local authorities will make their own leisure provision free for children and young people in care. The report goes on to say that this is consistent with the role of the corporate parent.

3.2. It is important to appreciate that those in Kinship Care whilst not wholly in the care of the local authority remain on the edge of the care system and any support that can be given to these young people and their carers can only be seen as positive in helping to improve their outcomes and avoid the need to be brought into the formal care system.

3.3. Work is currently underway to develop the current "offer" to children in care to deliver the Government's expectation. This will involve discussions with many partners including District Councils and their Leisure Service providers.

4) Financial implications:

4.1. The administrative cost of the current scheme is low and has been borne by service budgets. Equally the take up of this potential extension to the offer, whilst limited where it can be measured, represents little or no loss to current income.

4.2. The cost of tailored courses such as the Ahoy There sailing programme are funded from the Policy Fund.

5) Implementation:

5.1. If agreed, arrangements will be made through Children's Services to communicate the offer to those in Kinship Care and provide the link to service points to enable the service to be delivered in a similar way to the existing offer to children in care.

6) Conclusions:

6.1. Improving outcomes for all children and young people in Hampshire is a key aim for the department and the needs of our most vulnerable children and young people are paramount. Extending the free access offer to those in Kinship care will improve their access to recreational and cultural services and help them to Enjoy and Achieve.

7) Recommendations:

7.1. Free access to Recreation and Heritage sites and services be extended to those in Kinship Care and their families.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: