Agenda item

To receive a progress update in respect of the request for leisure passes for LAC and Care Leavers living in Rotherham.

Sharon Sandell, Head of Children in Care, presented an update report on the progress of the task and finish working group established to discuss the longstanding request of the Looked After Children’s Council that they have access to leisure activities to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Local leisure centres were provided by an arms length organisation, Places for People Ltd.  Any extension of offer to children and young people, as requested by the LAC Council, required costing out against each one of the requests and be determined as to what preferred option could be achieved. 

Leisure Services and People for Places Ltd. were working through the options to fully explore how the Council could support the LAC Council request due to the implications of the contract in place.

The report set out the options being considered with a deadline for decision of the end of March, 2022.

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-        The current offer available to foster carers and Looked After Young People in their care was via the Rothercard which reduced the monthly membership rate from £35 to £29.  If an adult foster carer accessed membership by Rothercard, up to 4 children, 16 years and under, within a family could have free access to facilities if they were accompanied by an adult.  Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult, however, children over the age of 8 could use the pool independently without a parent and without charge

-        Further discussions required about the social value aspect and the correct offer

-        Propositions for each age group required and ensure they engage in the right activity

-        Willingness from the Council and Places for People to work together on this important piece of work

-        Although other areas had “free leisure passes” it was often something very targeted e.g. swimming lessons and not a full free pass.  Those that were free were geared towards a particular age group

-        Offering a free pass would not automatically mean that all young people would take up the opportunity

-        Worthwhile to follow up the survey the LAC Council was undertaking to establish what activities the young people wanted to access and what could be done to make it as easy as possible to do so

-        There may be a whole range of activities the young people did not know about, however, they had been clear in their request for swimming

-        If the young people were asking for something that could not be delivered then an explanation should be provided as to why and what could be delivered should be delivered as quickly as possible

-        Care/safeguarding arrangements for the young people accessing facilities also needed to be taken into consideration

Resolved:-

(1)  That the update be noted.

(2)  That the proposal to offer a free leisure pass for swimming and gym access be processed as quickly as possible.

(3)  That the LAC Council be requested to extend an invite to Rebecca Wall, Zoe Oxley, Chris Siddall, Councillors Cusworth and Sheppard to attend a meeting to follow up on the survey (previous Minute No. 32 refers).