The Children and Social Work Act 2017 places a legal responsibility on all local authorities to write and publish a list of services that all care leavers will be able to access after they reach the age of 18 years. This is called the Local Offer for Care Leavers.

We have pleasure in launching our local offer to support young adults leaving the care of Bexley Council. The offer is ambitious and creative and, we hope, will provide all young adults leaving care in Bexley with the best possible chance of success. The offer also carries on the themes contained in the Strategy for Children in our Care and Young Adults Leaving our Care launched in November 2017 and updated in March 2022.

To complement the Strategy for Children in our Care and Young Adults Leaving our Care, Bexley have supported our young adults to develop a set of Commitments between Bexley as a Corporate parent, and all young adults leaving our care. These can be read below. The Commitments are deeply important to us as a Council. We take them seriously and hope that the strength behind the words is easy to see. In addition, a mini ‘Key Contacts/Entitlements Guide’ has been written as a quick reference list that can be kept in your wallet or purse.

As Corporate parents, we wish only for the best for our children and young people. We are actively focusing on our commitments and responsibilities in that ‘parental’ role. Positive Journeys and Positive Journeys Seniors, our Children in Care Council and Care Leaver Forum have considered very hard what corporate parents should know and the skills required. The job description is a creative set of essential skills that we all need and commits us all at the London Borough of Bexley to be great corporate parents.

It is essential that we offer strong support and advocacy for our young adults leaving our care where needed. This is a joint responsibility for every employee at the London Borough of Bexley. We applaud the commitment of our staff in the leaving care teams and look forward to seeing positive outcomes for our young adults as they take up the support contained in the Local Offer.

Yours sincerely,