Purpose

The decision is in the best interests of the
City’s Care Leavers and aligns the Doncaster offer to that of
other good and outstanding local authorities.

Content

The City of Doncaster Council has a strategic
ambition to ensure that Care Leavers receive the best possible
offer to support their transition to independence. In July 2023,
the Council determined that care experience would be a protected
characteristic. An outstanding care leaving offer requires that
young people have access to good housing, healthcare, education,
training and employment and leisure
and recreational opportunities.
Currently, the leisure offer to Care Leavers allows them to access
some leisure activities provided by Doncaster Culture and Leisure
Trust (DCLT) at a discounted rate of up to 60% dependent on the
specific activity.
In order to ensure that Care Leavers and older children in care
living in semi-independent settings have the right access to
leisure and recreation activities to support their physical and
emotional wellbeing, it has been determined that Children, Young
People and Families directorate will enter into a 12 month pilot
scheme with DCLT to provide free leisure passes to all Care
Leavers.
DCLT will contribute £43.2k for this activity and up to
£30k will be provided by the City of Doncaster Council funded
directly from the practice improvement funds which are in place
following the OFSTED Inspection in 2022. This will allow for up to
300 passes, however DCLT will only invoice for children who choose
to take up the offer.
The passes allow for full access to any DCLT gym, swimming pool and
fitness classes. However, if these are not of interest to the
child, they can be switched to an ice skating pass instead.