Young people leaving social care will be given an exemption from paying council tax to help them prepare for adult life.

Barnet council approved a policy to offer guaranteed council tax relief to care leavers for their first two years of independent living up to the age of 25 at a full council meeting last night (Tuesday, July 31).

They will be eligible for financial support and guidance during this period to increase their chances of success in adulthood.

Research shows many young people struggle to pay their bills once they leave care and begin living independently.

Financial pressures stemming from council tax and daily living costs can harm care leavers’ mental health and employment prospects.

A consultation with care leavers in Barnet revealed the vast majority strongly supported the council’s proposal to provide council tax relief.

Cllr Pauline Coakley-Webb, Labour member for Coppetts, welcomed the report, but questioned whether the “long overdue” proposal would have been brought forward if the council’s children’s services had not been rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2017.

Cllr Coakley-Webb added: “These recommendations will alleviate, for some, the cost of living independently for a short period of time.

“But more is needed in the way of regular financial advice and support for these young people – who rely on us to be their corporate parent – to ensure they receive the same help and advice that we would give our own young children.”

She added that committees should always be looking at how policies impact young people, and councillors should always be looking to do more for youngsters in care.

Cllr Coakley-Webb also questioned why only a small percentage of care leavers – 8 per cent – responded to the council’s consultation.

She said: “It clearly suggests that young people think giving their views will not make a difference – which in a way is true, because we have not altered the recommendations in response to any of their comments.”

Leader of Barnet Council Cllr Richard Cornelius said he agreed the response was disappointing.

He added: “I think it is very important that councillors and those who work with councillors are involved with those who are in our care, and I think all of us could spend more time offering the advice that Cllr Coakley Web gave, so that we treat these children as our own children are treated.”

There are currently more than 200 care leavers in Barnet, many of whom have experienced challenges in childhood and adolescents.

Cllr Cornelius said: “All parents want to help their children as they take their first steps towards living independently – and the council, as the corporate parent to children in care, is no different.

“We want our care leavers to be successful in life, and we hope this will help.”