Teignbridge care leavers to get tax discount

They'll also get free membership to leisure centres

Care leavers in Teignbridge are in line for a council tax discount, free membership to leisure centres and new work experience opportunities.

It is part of a countywide drive to improve services to young people leaving the care system, and follows a ground-breaking decision by Devon County Council to do more to stop prejudice against care leavers.

There were cheers from the public gallery at County Hall in Exeter as councillors pledged to give care leavers a ‘second chance’. One of the young people who spoke at the meeting said afterwards: “Today is literally a day in history for care-experienced people in Devon.”

A number of the county’s local councils have begun bringing in measures to help. Now members of the Teignbridge Council executive will be recommended to play their part.

Teignbridge plans to fall in line with the rest of the county, and a report to the meeting next week says: “Care leavers are considered a particularly vulnerable group for council tax debt. 

Moving to independent accommodation and managing their finances for the first time is challenging, as care leavers do so without the family support and the wider network that most young people can rely on, and indeed take for granted.”

The move will cost the district up to £19,000 a year, and care leavers will pay no council tax at all until they are 25 years old.

In its role as a ‘corporate parent’, Teignbridge will also offer free leisure subscriptions for pools, classes, gyms and saunas to care leavers under 25. There will also be more opportunities for work experience.

The report sums up: “A council tax discount will help care leavers manage the transition to adulthood and help make their own home a safe and affordable space. The access to free leisure supports physical and mental health and wellbeing, with the work experience placement offer providing the opportunity to gain the skills, insight and experience necessary to help move into future employment and independent adulthood.”