The Care Experienced Council is a group of young people aged 18 to 25 that have experience of living in care. The meetings have a social focus and provide an opportunity to meet other young people in similar situations. The group usually meet fortnightly on a Monday evening. Jenny Way is the lead worker and can be contacted on 01752 308900 or by email on participation.youth@plymouth.gov.uk.
The Participation Team have created a set of aspirations for group work with children in care and care experienced young people. These have been shared with the group members who in turn, have created their own.
Young people’s aspirations for the Care Experienced Council
- to combat social isolation for care experienced young people aged 18 to 25 through fun and engaging activities
- to hear about, and celebrate the success of, young people who have experienced care
- to provide a supportive space where young people can come together to effect positive change both personally and within a wider social context
- to help young people become active participants in society, to know their rights, and to make informed choices and decisions
- to create a place where young people can discuss their care journeys and help others’ with their experiences
Participation Team aspirations for the Care Experienced Council
- to create vibrant and exciting spaces where young people are motivated to be involved in participation activities and consultation to provide feedback and improvement to services affecting them
- to have a range of methods to engage with children and young people in care or with care experience including social media, phone contact, face to face and group work
- to provide a clear framework for young people to transition through the different age groups and become involved and engaged with other groups such as those working closely with Corporate Parenting, Plymouth Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and the Academy of Social Work Plymouth
- to support young people to identify their priorities for improvement and facilitate them to challenge systems and practice to effect positive change
- to support children and young people’s learning and knowledge around their journey
- to hear children and young people’s stories so that they can be used to evidence need for change and/or to celebrate success
- to enable young people to be aware of their rights and opportunities so they are able to become active participants in society and make fully informed decisions whenever possible
- to combat social isolation and develop ability to have positive interactions and relationships with both their peers and professionals
- to participate in national initiatives to enable a wider platform for Plymouth children and young people to be heard and to learn from others