Why?
The Children in Care Council Care Leavers’ Group were asked – ‘Are we valuing care?’. Young people responded they felt the opposite – that society labels and judges young people leaving care, harming their chances in later life.
What?
Participation Team colleagues worked with the Care Leavers’ Group to create a campaign page which was launched during National Care Leavers Week.
The Project Positive website includes:
+ Positive quotes and advice from children in care and care leavers (aimed at children in care)
+ A section aimed at employers: ‘Why you should employ a care leaver’
+ ‘CV of a care leaver’ highlighting skills and qualities young people have developed through the experience of being in care
+ Call to pledge: what are you doing to challenge stigma for care leavers?
+ The Guardian newspaper picked up the story and featured an article about the project, and Marion Ingram (Operations Director) wrote an essay about Project Positive that was featured in a collection of essays about valuing children in care.
+ The Care Leavers’ Group attended a council meeting to challenge councillors to think before reinforcing stereotypes.
Impact
The project has been successful in raising the aspirations of children in care and reducing stigma experienced by care leavers.
Jennifer, 26Employers need to be aware of the prejudices surrounding care leavers and focus more on recognising the potential. Like other young people starting off in their careers, care leavers also deserve to be encouraged and trained in the world of employment.
Care leavers lack the support and encouragement they would have otherwise received from home/families and this is why employers should ensure they are actively motivating those that are disadvantaged.
