Lib Dems Deliver on Pledge to Help Young Care Leavers in MK

MK Council has announced a £70,000 package to help young care leavers find their new home, which is built on a Liberal Democrat council motion in early 2021, and supported by a Lib Dem amendment to the MK Council budget for 2021-2022.

In January the Liberal Democrat council group put a motion to Milton Keynes council calling for more help for young people leaving care. The call for support was both financial with support for deposits and moving costs, but also for extra education and advice to make sure the young people are able to understand the important decisions they will be making, and can manage finances including bills.

You can read more about Councillor Marie Bradburn's motion in January here: https://mklibdems.co.uk/en/article/2021/1410457/lib-dems-win-fight-for-more-help-for-care-leavers

Following the successful motion which won cross party support, a Liberal Democrat amendment to the 2021-2022 MK Council budget was passed and successfully set aside £70,000 in the budget to make sure the council was able to deliver committments to support young people leaving care.

Now, Milton Keynes Council has now announced on the delivery of the £70,000 package to make sure those young people leaving care in Milton Keynes will receive the support they need.

Following the announcment, Councillor Marie Bradburn said:

"For many young people, moving into your own home can be difficult, and this can be even harder for care leavers. I'm proud that our budget amendment has turned into real, positive action, and that care leavers will now get the help and support they need as they embark on this journey."

You can read more about the package in the Milton Keynes Council Press release here: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/pressreleases/2021/oct/council-launches-70-000-package-of-additional-support-for-young-people-leaving-care

The text of the part of the Lib Dem amendment to the MK Council budget giving extra support for young people (items iv and v in this list)

(a) Child Poverty and Assisting Looked After Children Leaving Care The inclusion of an additional item to fund one-off expenditure pressures of £170,000 in 2021/22:

• (i) Overarching support to assist the progression of the Poverty Strategy £35,000.
• (ii) Community Homework clubs that provide a meal £30,000.
• (iii) Using positive activity sessions through Children's Centres which include physical exercise and group activities to build resilience and strengthen purpose amongst parents and children in material need, helping parents and children make their next steps £35,000.
• (iv) Further support to Care leavers in their deposits on renting accommodation as they move towards increased independence £20,000.
• (v) Development of a Bond scheme for Care leavers which will support them on the road to property ownership £50,000.

This and other Lib Dem amendments can be seen by following this link to MK Council pages