The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing submitted a report, that provided Committee with an update in respect of the approaches being used within the local authority to engage and consult with care leavers. The report also provided an update on the Care Inspectorate Engagement event which took place with care leavers in November 2018.

 

In conjunction with this item, representatives from Voices From Care Cymru (VFCC) were present at the meeting to give a power point presentation. This organisation provided organised events through which engagement with young people was encouraged, more particularly those that were in/leaving a care environment. The organisation was also supported by an Advisory Group that covered different regions of Wales, with a contingency of members on this group being care leavers.

 

The Chairperson then invited Ms. Deborah Jones, Chief Executive and Chris Dunn, Programmes Manager from VFCC, to present their submission.

 

The presentation covered the following themes:-

 

Introduction:

 

·       The organisation worked with Care Experienced Young People from across Wales;

·       The organisation was led by young people;

·       It provided opportunities for young people to influence decisions about their lives and also the lives of care experienced young people on a national basis;

·       It looked to build a strong care experienced community;

·       Services included – participation; influencing and wellbeing;

·       The organisation was based in Cardiff; established in 1990 and had a staffing compliment of 13

 

Organisation Values:

 

Being Young-Person Led

 

Everything VFCC does is guided by care experienced children & young people. Our Board of Trustees is split between young people and professionals and we regularly consult children and young people on issues that are important to them.

 

Equality For Everyone In Care

 

We believe that care experienced children & young people should have the same chances and opportunities as their non-care experienced peers. They should not have to face stigma, discrimination and barriers in life because of their care experience.

 

Creating A Care Family

 

VFCC provides the opportunity for care experienced children & young people to meet, grow, learn and develop long lasting friendships.

 

Being Aspirational

 

VFCC wants care experienced children & young people to be everything that they can be. We want to inspire them and nurture their potential.

 

Celebrating Individuality

 

VFCC is a unique organisation and we recognise and celebrate the individuality and diversity of the children & young people we work with. We see that the different backgrounds, experiences and views ofcare experienced children & young people help us to develop as an organisation and better represent the wider care population

 

Key Initiatives:

 

1. Regional Groups;

 

2. Local Participation Groups;

 

3. National Advisory Groups;

 

4. Proud to Be Me;

 

5. CareDay Event;

 

6. Summer Celebration;

 

7. When I Am Ready Project; and

 

8. Sing Proud Choir

 

VFCC influenced work such as Siblings Relationships; Passports (ie supporting ID), Supporting Young Mums and providing a Corporate Parenting role.

 

The representatives advised Members that the top 3 topics young people shared with VFCC were:

 

·       The stigma of being care experienced

·       Support avenues when leaving care

·       Emotional wellbeing issues

 

Support mechanisms such as the above, helped prevent individuals needing CAHMS support, etc.

 

VFCC aspirations for the Care System

 

1. “What would I do if this were my child?”
2. “Aspirational”
3. “Inspirational”
4. “Nurturing”
5. “Holistic”
6. “Focus on Emotional Wellbeing”
7. “A United approach”
8. “Hopes and Dreams”
9. “To develop the person not a statistic”

 

The Chairperson thanked the representatives from VFCC for attending and giving such an interesting and informative presentation.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing advised the VFCC representatives that she was looking forward her team engaging with their organisation going forward.

 

She added that that the Social Services and Children’s Services teams were doing a considerable amount of good work in the support of young people and carers, though there was room for improvement still.

 

She confirmed that the 16 Plus team worked with people in care up to the age of 25 and provided effective support to individuals within this age range in order to provide support for their differing needs.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that BCBC always conducted a Risk Assessment of a young person, prior to them being placed into any care situation. She added that there were also a number of projects in place to avert a person being placed in care where this was preventable. She further added that young people were supported through the Council’s Emotional and Wellbeing Strategy that was work in progress.

 

Bodies such as the Cabinet Committee Corporate Parenting and Overview and Scrutiny Committees also regularly monitored the effectiveness of support mechanisms that the Authority had in place for young people, particularly those that were considered as vulnerable. Work with health colleagues also assisted in the continued development of avenues of support, she added.

 

A Member asked how the care system in Wales compared to that in England and certain wider European countries.

 

The Chief Executive, VFCC advised that there was increased care arrangements in place in Wales when compared to England (on a pro rata basis), as here in Wales organisations that provided care support were very risk averse. She was unsure how the comparison was with European countries outside the UK though she could find this out and come back to the Member(s) with some information outside of the meeting.

 

A Member made the point that there was an insurance issue to consider when dealing with people placed in residential care. This was due to the fact that there was currently no legislation in place in Wales or the wider UK, that allowed for persons in care to be physically restrained with any force. Therefore, both those young people and carers were at a level of risk due to this. Policy and guidance needed to be introduced here she felt.

 

The Chief Executive of VFCC advised that she would discuss this with their Trustees and also link in with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate on this issue as she agreed that this could give rise to a potential serious situation.

 

The Leader concluded debate on this item, by advising that he, the Chief Executive and the Cabinet Member – Communities had recently met with the Chief Commander of Police, to discuss key relevant organisations working more closely together, with the view of ensuring that young people are kept safe. BCBC wished for young people to have their say also more than perhaps they may have had in the past, and to more take their views on certain issues on board. He added that it would be beneficial he felt, if a representative of South Wales Police and Cwm Taf Health Authority (and representatives from other health partners) were invited to a future meeting of the Committee to discuss improving lives of young people, particularly those that were in the care system.

 

The Chairperson thanked the representatives from VFCC for attending today’s meeting and providing such an interesting and informative presentation.

 

RESOLVED:                        That the report and accompanying presentation be noted and should it be in line with the wishes, feelings and requirements of the young people (of Bridgend), the Care Leaver’s Forum be re-established in July 2019, and that a report be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet Committee Corporate Parenting outlining progress on this issue.