Why?
Hull wanted to move beyond traditional consultation and give care-experienced young people real influence over the services they use. They recognised that young people’s lived experiences provide vital insight, but also that their voices are often underrepresented in decision-making.
A reverse scrutiny session was set up to shift the dynamic, placing young people in leadership roles and enabling them to directly question and challenge professionals. The aim was to strengthen participation, improve transparency, and ensure services are shaped by those they support.
What?
Hull established regular Reverse Scrutiny sessions lead by Room 42’s Care Experienced Champions and the Action 4 Us – Care Leavers’ Voice and Influence Group. These sessions brought together a wide range of partners, including councillors, senior leaders, and private sector colleagues. Young people set the agenda, lead discussions, and asked questions, creating open and honest dialogue. Each session focused on key themes, with upcoming discussions exploring health, including mental health and dental care and impact of Corporate Parenting and Family Business. The approach prioritised collaboration, with all participants working towards shared goals and improved outcomes.
Impact?
Young people reported increased confidence, stronger leadership skills, and greater trust in services. Professionals gained deeper insight into young people’s experiences, leading to more responsive and accountable practice. The sessions strengthened relationships across agencies and identified clear priorities for improvement. Overall, the reverse scrutiny sessions have driven a cultural shift towards co-production, demonstrating that when young people lead, services become more effective, collaborative, and impactful.
See below a list of achievements made by the reverse scrutiny panel so far:
- Freedom Pass – Free travel for care leavers across Hull and East Riding
- Council Tax Exemption for 18-25 year olds (to include care leavers up to 25yrs this financial year)
- Enhanced housing offer and escalation process for issues with allocation of properties and housing repairs
- Marker for care leavers on Hull City Council and Hull Culture & Leisure recruitment to initiate guaranteed interview
- Instigation of work around protected characteristics
- Consideration of enhanced priority banding for Local Authority housing
- Pilot Scheme for external apprentices and payment of housing costs
- Top up to minimum wage level for Care Leavers on Hull City Council apprenticeships