Today is Care Day, the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience.
These are children and young people who are or have been cared for by foster carers, or other family members, and those who live in children’s homes. They deserve to be celebrated, on Care DayOpens in new tab, and every day.
One of the Council’s most important jobs is keeping our children and young people safe. When we can’t keep children and young people living safely with their families, we may have to apply to become their legal guardians. If this happens, they become ‘looked after’ and the Council becomes the Corporate Parent.
The term ‘Corporate Parent’ means the collective responsibility of the Council, elected members, employees, and partner agencies, for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us.
It’s our job as Corporate Parents to make sure they get the best possible start in life and we take this responsibility very seriously. Recently, Full Council unanimously voted to award care-experienced people in Derby ‘protected characteristic’ status.
This means those who are in care, who are care leavers, or who have had a past experience of care, will have the same protection from discrimination as other characteristics under the Equality Act in Derby. The motion recognises that many care leavers nationally face ongoing stigma, challenges and discrimination across housing, health, education, employment and in the criminal justice system.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Skills, said:
Our Children's Social Care teams listened to children in care and care-experienced young people, who described the stigma and negative labels they face and the impact it has on their lives. This motion is a positive step towards supporting them in overcoming these barriers.
We're asking our councillors and staff to champion these children and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice they experience. On Care Day, we're reaffirming our commitment to giving every looked after child the best possible start in life, helping them reach their full potential, and providing them with a safe and positive experience as their Corporate Parent.
Our goal is for these children and young people to be happy and healthy, both physically and emotionally, to be safe from harm and exploitation, and to receive support as they transition to successful independent lives.
The Corporate Parenting Strategy outlines the Council’s priorities for children in care and care leavers over the next three years. It aims to make sure that we deliver the best outcomes for our children and young people in care. Our looked after children come to us for numerous reasons and at every age; this strategy is for all of them.
It prioritises five key areas where we want to make a difference for our children in care and care leavers:
• Listening to our children and young people in care
• Making sure that they have good, safe places to live
• Working with our children and young people so they achieve the best educational outcomes for them
• Making sure our children in care are happy and healthy
• Supporting our children in care into their adulthood life
You can learn more about our work with children in care on our websiteOpens in new tab, including our Care Leavers Local Offer, the Children’s Rights Service and the Our Voice, Our Success group for young people.
If you’re interested in making a difference to the lives of children who need care, and helping them stay in their local communities, take a look at the Foster For East Midlands websiteOpens in new tab or speak to one of our friendly advisers on 03033 132 950. You can also email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.ukOpens in new tab.