Information on Loughborough

Young people share care experiences

Posted on 31/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council

27 July 2009

Young people share care experiences

Young people from Leicestershire have shared their positive experiences of the county’s care system at a special event in London.

Two members of the local Children in Care Council attended the Government’s First Annual Ministerial Stocktake at the capital’s Science Museum.

The event was attended by young people who are either in, or have been through, the care system.

The aim of the stocktake was to enable young people to share their views about the system and identify ways in which the Government can improve standards.

Participants were able to respond to a number of questions via “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” style keypads. These included questions on how well councils are doing to keep children safe, healthy and achieve well in their learning.

The two young people from Leicestershire, a 16-year-old who is currently in care, and a 22-year-old, spoke directly with Baroness Delyth Morgan, The Children’s Minister, at the event.

They had heard a mixture of views about the care system from the other delegates - some of which were negative - and wanted to share their positive experiences in Leicestershire with her.

One of the young people, who is now 22 but was looked after by social services when she was younger, said: “It was very exciting having an opportunity to talk directly to the Baroness who seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say.

“A lot of the other young people were complaining about the lack of services they received and the way they were treated by their social workers.

“I felt really proud that I live in a county where we already have the things that other young people were demanding.”

Ivan Ould, County Council Cabinet member for the Children and Young People’s Service, said: “I am delighted and proud that two of our young people were able to contribute at this national event.

“I am pleased they were able to share some of their positive experiences with Baroness Morgan.

“Leicestershire County Council and its partner agencies work hard to involve young people in decisions about all aspects of their lives to bring about changes that will improve their experience of being in care and their prospects for the future.”

For more information on social support for children and young people offered by Leicestershire County Council visit:

www.leics.gov.uk/children_young_people.htm

Notes:

The Annual Ministerial Stocktake was a result of a proposal in the White Paper Care Matters: Time for Change which was published in 2007 and proposed a number of measures to improve the outcomes for children in care.

The young people from Leicestershire attended the event for youngsters who are part of a Children in Care Council at London’s Science Museum last Wednesday (July 22)

A separate event for young people who are not part of a Children in Care Council was held at the House of Lords last Tuesday.

A Children in Care Council (CICC) is a place where young people in care can have their say on issues that matter to them, and can make sure that they are heard by the people who make decisions.

The Annual Ministerial Stocktake was also attended by The Children’s Rights Director Roger Morgan.