The Social Care & Tackling Poverty Service Transformation Committee met to discuss the Early Help Model and the When I'm Ready scheme. The committee also approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

When I'm Ready Scheme

The committee discussed changes to the When I'm Ready scheme, which allows care-experienced young people to continue living with their former foster carers after they turn 18. The aim of the scheme is to provide stability as they transition into adulthood. A When I'm Ready arrangement can continue until the young person turns 21, or completes an agreed education or training programme after their 21st birthday, if they have lived in the arrangement continuously since their 18th birthday.

The When I'm Ready scheme is governed by Welsh Government guidance and is a key part of the council's offer to care leavers. Part 6 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act places a duty on local authorities to provide support for young people and foster carers who wish to remain in 'post-eighteen living arrangements'.

Currently, the scheme has two payment tiers: standard and enhanced. All provisions start on the enhanced rate before reducing to the standard rate in the September following the young person's 18th birthday, following the academic calendar. As of August 2025, there were 34 active When I'm Ready arrangements, with 11 receiving the enhanced rate.

It was proposed to phase out the enhanced rate and replace it with a single standard rate at a higher level than the current standard rate. According to the When I'm Ready report, this would:

• Improve equity and transparency
• Simplify administration
• Align with best practice
• Enhance placement stability
• Improve budget predictability
• Support strategic goals

The change would only apply to new When I'm Ready arrangements, with existing providers currently receiving the enhanced rate continuing to do so. All providers on the existing standard rate will transfer to the new single standard rate when it comes into effect.

The specifics of the new scheme and the rates to be paid are to be confirmed.

Early Help Model

The committee were updated on the development of the Adult Services Early Help offer.

The approach involves increasing the number of people accessing enabling communities activity, prevention activities and support, and short-term early help interventions. It also focuses on those currently in receipt of managed care accessing more early help and prevention support, resulting in less managed care.

The Early Help team provides timely information, advice and support to support residents' well-being and prevent their needs escalating to managed care.

The Early Help offer includes:

• Information, advice and referrals to community-based, partner and commissioned services.
• Assistive technology and equipment assessment and support.
• Assessment and development of well-being plans and up to six weeks case-management support.
• Hospital-discharge support for people to access short-term community-based support, to support and sustain their return home.

Early Help can be accessed via CAP@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 636519.

Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting on 21 July 2025 were approved.