How we are improving ... Outcomes for care leavers in Torbay

Council: Torbay

Performance: The percentage of former care leavers aged 19 in education, employment or training, year ending 31 March

2006 England 62.8% Torbay 68.8%

2007 England 62.7% Torbay 81%

2008 England 64.9% Torbay 83.3%

2009 England 63% Torbay 93.3%

For Derek King, leaving-care service manager in Torbay, securing suitable and stable accommodation for young care leavers is the first step to ensuring they remain engaged in education, employment or training.

From 2006 to 2008, 100 per cent of Torbay's 19-year-old care leavers were in suitable accommodation - dropping slightly to 93.3 per cent in 2009.

These positive results, according to King, are reflected in the number of care leavers that go on to college or other training opportunities.

"We have always pushed for our young people to continue in education after school," he says. "Getting settled before embarking in continuing education or work is crucial."

This level of support and encouragement is what defines Torbay's practice, according to King. "Our expectations are very high for our care leavers, which is why the leaving-care team takes on young people from the age of 16 rather than when they are ready to leave care," he says.

Every 16 to 21-year-old care leaver has a personal adviser and the leaving-care team has a network of named professionals who can provide support for care leavers within educational settings and feed back any problems the young people may be having to the team.

Torbay also provides incentives and support packages to help encourage care leavers to remain in education, including free bus passes and a personal allowance for under-18s.

King explains: "There is a fast tracking process with local colleges for care leavers, which ensures support throughout college."