Hosted by North Tyneside Council, young people from across the region met with the Children’s Commissioner for England today (September 30).
The North East Regional Children in Care Council conference was held at the Linskill Centre, North Shields, and involved children with experience of being in care in different parts of the region.
All of the young people are part of a children in care council, which are established in each local authority area in the UK and help to ensure that those in care are able to shape decisions made about them.
Following a request from one of the members of North Tyneside’s Children in Care Council, Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England came along too, as well senior council managers and other professionals, to hear the views and experiences of young people in care.
Kelsey, aged 19, was involved in the planning of the event, she said: “We were really happy with our conference. It’s been hard work but we are proud off all of the work that has been done to try and improve the care system for other looked after children and care leavers.
“It was brilliant to see so many people there to listen to what we have to say, including Anne Longfield.”
The event also supports the Children Commissioner’s commitment to meet with such councils up and down the country to ensure the voices of children in care are properly heard and influence decision makers locally, regionally and in Westminster.
She is promoting and championing the role of children in care councils to help ensure the needs, views and experiences of children in care and care leavers are taken into account when important decisions, that can profoundly affect their lives, are made.
The regional events give a platform for children in care and care leavers, as well as support workers and policy makers, to learn from the experiences of young people in other areas and share what works and what doesn’t.
At the Linkskill Centre on Friday, more than 30 children in care from across the region told the Commissioner about their concerns and what would make the most difference to their lives.
Cllr Ian Grayson, cabinet member for Children, Young People at Learning at North Tyneside Council, said: “We were delighted to host the North East Children in Care Council and welcome the Children’s Commissioner to the borough.
“In North Tyneside, we work hard to ensure that all children’s views are heard and those who are in care or leaving care are able to tell us about their experiences, the support they need and subsequently help to shape council-run services.
“Meeting with the Children’s Commissioner is an excellent opportunity for them to share their views and voice their opinions on a national platform.”
Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said: “It is always a hugely powerful and inspiring experience hearing children’s experiences and their views on how things can be improved.
“I believe children in care councils are an essential way for children and young people to influence, shape and improve the care experience.
“Promoting and championing the work of these vital forums is a priority for me. Young people’s experience of care means they are in a unique position to know what can make the system better and we need to listen closely to them. Through work such as these regional events and our other national activity we can make the voices of children in care much louder, share their experiences – turn their ideas into reality and bring about lasting change.”
The Children’s Commissioner Office runs a free to call national Help at Hand service for young people who are in care or leaving care, as well as those working with a social worker or children’s services. It can advise and intervene when children in care get in touch about a range of issues: including entitlement to services, staying safe, or being involved in decisions such as where they live, who cares for them or where they go to school.
Help at Hand: Call free on 0800 528 0731 (Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm) or email help.team@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/learn-more/help-at-hand
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For more information contact:
North Tyneside Council’s Communications team
T: (0191) 643 2211; E: commsteam@northtyneside.gov.uk
Children’s Commissioner for England Press Office:
Rob Boyland, Senior Media Manager:
T: 020 7340 7386; E: rob.boyland@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
Children attending the event have experience of being in care in North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland and Darlington.
About the Children’s Commissioner for England
Anne Longfield, the third Children’s Commissioner for England, was appointed in March 2015.
The post of Children’s Commissioner was created following a recommendation in the Inquiry into Victoria Climbié’s death and requests from a number of children’s sector charities. The role was established under the Children Act 2004 which gave the Commissioner responsibility for promoting awareness of the views and interests of children. Her remit includes listening to what children and young people say about things that affect them and encouraging adults making decisions to always take their views and interests into account. She has unique data gathering powers and powers of entry to talk with children to gain evidence to support improvement for children. The Children and Families Act 2014 further strengthened the remit, powers and independence of the Commissioner.
Anne Longfield is the first Commissioner to be appointed since the introduction of the new legal framework for the Commissioner to promote and protect children’s rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The 2014 Act also strengthens the Children’s Commissioner’s responsibilities towards children in care and other vulnerable groups.
The Children’s Commissioner helps bring about long term change and improvements for children, in particular the most vulnerable children including those who are in care. She is the ‘eyes and ears’ of children in the system and is expected to carry out her duties ‘without fear or favour’.