Rights and Representation Project for Looked After Chidlren and Young People

The Rights and Representations Officer works hard to build positive relationships with children in care and care leavers and provide individually tailored levels of support to children and young people including:

• General advice.
• Signposting.
• Confidential support.
• Someone to talk to.
• Someone to speak on their behalf or to offer moral support at review or similar meetings.

The project works in partnership with Customer Services to support children and young people to make a complaint under the 1989 Children's Act in line with the 'Get it Sorted Guidance Regulation 2004' and 'Change for Children - Every Child Matters Getting the Best from Complaints Regulation and Guidance 2006'.

In 2006/2007 the Rights and Representations Officer received around 60 referrals and provided individually tailored advocacy support to around 120 children and young people.

The project also works in partnership with other agencies by:

· Supporting the Leisure and Fun Project youth clubs.

· Co- facilitating the Care Leavers Forum.

· Supporting children and young people to attend 'consultation' meetings e.g. Corporate Parenting Scrutiny Meetings.

· Supporting children and young people participating in recruitment and selection of staff.

Care Leavers Forum

The Service co-facilitates the ' Talk to Us' Care Leavers Forum, which offers young people space to give their views on moving into accommodation from leaving care. The Forum also acts as a consultation group which ensures young people's experiences of care help to improve outcomes for other Children in Care and Care Leavers.

"We were able to access funds from the YOF Fund. This enabled us to have a Christmas party and organise summer activities." Care Leaver aged 20.

Care Council

The Service is currently working with children and young people to develop a Care Council in line with Care Matters.

The Care Council will be a rotating group of children and young people in care who will come together to share their experiences, thoughts and views and pass these on to decision making adults throughout the Authority. The remit of the Care Council will be support the Council and its partners to deliver its Pledge to Children in care.

Corporate Parenting Scrutiny Meetings

Over the last year, the Rights and Representation Project supported 44 children and young people (8 - 21 years) to attend the Corporate Parenting Scrutiny Meetings. These meetings covered various topics i.e. finance, placements, education and health. The young people have enjoyed the experience of sharing their views and opinions with Councillors and Senior Officers. As a result of one meeting there was an increase in the Leaving Care Grant.

Providing Information for Children in care

During 2007 the Rights and Representations Project developed a Signposting Card - 'You Come First' and new Induction Pack for children and young people.

The Project publishes a bi annual newsletter for children and young people called 'News and Views'. The newsletter gives feedback on Scrutiny meetings, information on the Leisure & Fun Project and Care Leavers Forum plus up to date information on current issues and topics. Children and young people themselves contribute to the newsletter.

Total Respect

The Service works in partnership with Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting to deliver Total Respect training. The training course is delivered to staff and is co-facilitated by young people. The training pack was developed and copyrighted by the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE).

The Training for Trainers modules takes place over 3 days. The module prepares young people to co-train with adults. Successful completion of the course enables young people to get 3 credits of accredited learning.

The course covers most aspects of children and young people's lives in care, but specifically focuses on participation in individual care planning and Local Authority policy and service development.

A 'Young Trainer' thought 'The course was really enjoyable and that people learned to respect and communicate with young people in a fun way.'

Children in Care Award Ceremony

Every year Telford & Wrekin Council celebrates the successes and achievements of children and young people in care. Following consultation the ceremony was called HOT SHOTS. The Active Involvement Service works alongside the Corporate Parenting Team to plan and deliver the conference.