North Yorkshire County Council have announced that senior councillors have approved a decision to reduce the care council tax commitments of are leavers, as they start their lives as independent adults.
The reduction is discretionary, with provision being in place for up to a 100 per cent reduction in council tax contributions for those living on their own. Care leavers living with another person will be entitled to a 50 per cent reduction, however the support will only be extended to those who are living in North Yorkshire.
Councillor Janet Sanderson, executive member for children’s services, said:
“We know that managing a household budget can be challenging for any young person who has just left home. It is a time in life when you may be joining a workforce for the first time, starting out in career development, or training and covering the costs of setting up a home.
“It can be particularly challenging for young people who have just left care and don’t have the support of a family who can step in to help financially.
“As the corporate parent in this circumstances, it is only right that the county council has discretion to step in and help.”
Included in the new assistance will be young people who were in residential education, as well as those who were in care for at least 13 weeks from the age of 14, care leavers living on their own, as well as provision for health - including mental health – needs and those who were privately fostered or subject to special guardianship arrangements.
The amount and duration of thee support will be at the discretion of the council, along with being awarded on the basis of evidence supplied and the circumstances of the individual.
