London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) care leavers will not have to pay council tax until they are 25 years old, after full cabinet approval of the change, last night 3 March.
Currently, LBH care leavers are exempt from council tax until they’re 21 years old, but the new ruling will see an extended cohort of over 700 current LBH care leavers eligible for the benefit including those judged as former relevant.*
Aziza Anjum is an Organisational Development Practitioner at Hounslow Council and spent six years in care, before embarking on a successful apprenticeship with her local authority. Aziza said: “The exemption will provide significant support for social mobility within the cared for community, and it also shows that change is possible within a large organisation.
“Conversations started about a year ago, and a few ideas were discussed with a group of twenty care leavers, and we eventually settled on a solution that’s worked for local authorities elsewhere. I am grateful for colleagues who have helped facilitate such an important life changing development.”
Kaleb Joseph, another care leaver who has worked his way through an apprenticeship with the Council and is now a full-time Assistant Traffic Officer, added: “Care leavers can feel disadvantaged in comparison to their peers who still live with family. It’s positive that the Council, as corporate parents, can give us a helping hand as we move towards financial independence.”
*Those who have spent at least 13 weeks in care since age 14 under the care of the London Borough of Hounslow, including a period after their 16th birthday, and have now left care.
