Agenda item

The Voice and Influence Manager and Care Ambassador(s) will be in attendance to present the report.

Three Care Ambassadors, together with the Voice and Influence Manager delivered the Care Experienced Youth Update, which covered the period May to December 2024.

The following matters were raised/ discussed:

·        One of the Care Ambassadors had attended a regional residential event with other young people from different regions and learnt about other Councils’ work, and improvements still needed.  Reference was made to work currently taking place around changes in language to enhance inclusivity. 

·        Care Ambassadors had attended a housing engagement event.  During discussion, a Member queried progress in relation to housing provision.  In response, the Director of Regeneration explained that tender documents for development works and support packages had gone out earlier in the day.  Other work would take place when the new housing related post was made live.  Properties were being purchased and would be refurbished as required; it was hoped that contractors would be in place by 31 March 2025.

·        The Care Ambassadors had presented at Children’s Participants Week, which they felt was a positive experience.  It enabled the young people to showcase their lives and what needed to change and it had been inspirational to hear from other individuals.

·        The Care Ambassadors had created a video for SHiFT.

·        The Care Ambassadors had attended an awards ceremony in Manchester where they had received an award in their category.  A number of activities were participated in; it had been a very positive experience.

·        The Youth Council had helped to run a conference at HeadStart.

·        Work had taken place to promote You Matter to Us welcome packs that were provided to young people entering care.  The packs provided information to recipients and ensured that their voices were heard.  

·        Several events had been held across the period, including Halloween and Christmas parties.  85 young people had attended for Halloween and 16 young people for Christmas.  Consideration had been given as to how young people may have felt, emotionally, when attending such events, and activities planned accordingly.  The events had been well received; positive feedback was read out to the Board.

·        The Voice, Influence and Change Group had been undertaking various activities, including:

- Participating in discussions around changing language/ terminology to become more inclusive and person friendly.  A Change in Language Guide, which had been produced in consultation with young people, would be published next month.

- Meeting with OFSTED, who had been very impressed with the work of the Care

Ambassadors, as well as senior leaders and key decision makers to discuss the  work and role of young people leaders.

- Visits to Ninja Warrior and Scream Factory.

- Over the next couple of months, opportunities for care experienced young adults, e.g. apprenticeships and volunteering, would be looked into.  In addition to this work, an engagement and communications plan would be established with Pathways.

·        Following relocation, the Care Ambassadors had recently attended a launch event for the Live Well Centre, which was very well attended.

A discussion ensued in relation to language and the potential impact that certain terminology could have on young people.  The importance of positive and inclusive language was highlighted.  As an example, the Care Ambassadors referred to the term ‘care leavers’ and indicated that this would be changed to ‘care experienced’, as it was felt to be more positive and professional.  It was suggested that once the ‘Change in Language Guide’ had been published, it would be useful for a link to be provided to all Board Members/ representatives.  In addition, it was felt that this would be a positive news story to share widely via the Council’s Communications Team.

An NHS representative referred to the large geographical area covered by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and queried whether a regional role/ influential voice could be established.  In response, the Care Ambassador advised that a Regional Co-ordinator role had been created and would be appointed to in due course.  It was indicated that SHiFT had requested that the Care Ambassadors travel to London to discuss any matters in relevant forums.  The NHS representative queried whether any assistance could be provided to the Care Ambassadors at the present time.  In response, an Ambassador requested that the representative relay back, through the appropriate channels, the work that had been taking place in relation to language change.

A Cleveland Police representative commented on the excellent work that had been taking place and featured in the report.  The Care Ambassadors were advised that the Police were able and willing to work with them in order to develop a more generalised understanding of young people, and to develop practice in various areas of policing.  The Care Ambassadors thanked the representative and welcomed the suggestion.

A Member referred to the videos shown at the SHiFT launch and commented on both the positive and emotional participation made by the Care Ambassadors with these.  The Executive Director of Children’s Services referred to language change and OFSTED being held to account by the Care Ambassadors in relation to this.  It was noted that the Care Ambassadors had been in place for two years and opportunities to strengthen their roles were currently being progressed.  The Director would be in attendance at the next young peoples’ meeting in late February to observe proceedings.  Reference was made to increased mentoring work and improved access to digital means for young people that was currently being progressed.  Matters around financial support would also be looked into.

An NHS representative referred to the possibility of holding informal sessions between formal meetings, to hear more from young people.  The Democratic Services Officer would look into this.

The Chair thanked the Care Ambassadors and the Voice and Influence Manager for their attendance and contributions to the meeting.

AGREED that:

1.     The publication of the ‘Change in Language Guide’ would be discussed with the Council’s Communications Team to determine whether a news story could help publicise it.

2.     The information, as presented, was noted.