Issue - meetings

The report provides information on the progress made on compiling a forum for Children &Young People in care and care leavers.

Following the Stocktake meeting with children and young people in care as specific Council had been established to provide a regular forum for children and young people and care leavers to express their views about the issues that affect them.

Two initial meetings had taken place with twelve young people attending. The group had agreed a name for the forum (Young and in Care) having 2 sub groups (one for children under 12 and another for older children, 13 and above), and a representative for the national forum.  No younger children had attended the initial meetings and it was suggested to involve them and their foster carers in the Young and in Care council with service day activities. The children, attending these initial meetings, had expressed wanting a role in making things better for other children in care. Officers felt that the Council also had a responsibility in ensuring that, children attending these meetings, benefited by gaining skills in areas such as resilience. The next Young and in Care Council meeting was scheduled for 25^th November at Compton Crescent. The children had shown a willingness to attend future meetings and also take part in a Corporate Parenting committee meeting. The children were interested in creating a magazine for their Council which the committee recommended could be electronic.

The committee discussed providing a supporting role to the children in line with their corporate parenting role. Officers agreed to broach the idea of mentoring scheme with the Young and in Care Council.

The committee welcomed the report and offered to attend a future meeting of the Young and in Care Council. Agreed that officers check the preference of the children at their next meeting on the 25^th November.

RESOLVED

That the committee welcome and note the report.