
This week, I’ve been at the ‘Care Experienced People Conference 2019’ – a joint venture between Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum. This is the third year this conference has happened, thanks to the leadership of Teresa Clarke. Here are 5 reflections on a really inspiring event.

Citywest Housing Trust has been working closely with Salford's leaving care service 'Next Step' to support young people to prepare for and sustain tenancies. They use Resettlement Passport as part of this support. Watch this short video to get the feedback from a care leaver, a staff member from 'Next Step' and Citywest Housing.

Thanks to funding from the Community Fund we are looking for a Resettlement Passport Development Worker. The post is 6 months fixed term, three days a week. The role will involve promoting the Resettlement Passport with other organisations, delivering Passport training and supporting the reach and development of the initiative.

If we ran a book club ‘Universal Credit: Unintended consequences’ report would be on our recommended list. This new report pulled together by Liverpool City Council incorporates the views of a wide range of Liverpool’s city leaders. While focused on Liverpool, the report is relevant nationally, talking about the ‘Unintended consequences’ of Universal Credit.

Since we started talking to people about the Resettlement Passport, we've always been asked, "And what about your data?" "What proof have you got that your course is making a difference?." Now, thanks to Chris in Local Solution's IT team - we're able to display the data that the online course has captured, and it makes encouraging reading.

A couple of weeks ago, I took part in an excellent event hosted by Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service and the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum. The fact this event was organised represents a real step forward and was thanks to the excellent work that Teresa Clarke, the HMPPS Care leavers Champion is leading on.