Why?
The Hampshire Care Councils bring together care-experienced children, young people and adults to create positive change across the county. The group identified reducing stigma as one of their top priorities. Drawing on their own experiences, they wanted to show how comments, misunderstandings and school disruptions can deeply affect children in care.
One young person shared, “I felt empowered joining the Hampshire County Council Corporate Parenting Board as I want professionals to hear my voice and the things that are not right and hopefully change them as it is our lives as foster children that are getting affected.”
What?
To raise awareness, they worked with a local film company to create a video focused on reducing stigma. The video informs others of the different reasons why children are taken into care, the journey into care and the thoughts, worries and concerns of those children.
Bravely drawing on their own experience and conscious of their adverse childhood experiences, the young people wanted to show the impact this has on the children drawing on their own lived experience to explain this in an accessible way. They spoke of the complications of entering care such as changing schools, and being far away from friends, and the impact this has on their everyday lives.
They showed how necessary it was for teachers and professionals to be educated on how children in care feel, and ensure the relevant support is available for all. This will reduce the stigma children receive whilst at school and outside of school. They also suggest practical changes that could be made in schools to reduce stigma.
What difference did it make?
The video was shown to more than 100 teachers and education professionals.
The Virtual School Head said, “It made delegates reflect and think about the children and young people in their setting, and how they could use the video to improve the experience of our children in care in school.”
The project has already led to change, with schools now using the video in training and introducing pupil support groups, safe spaces and PSHE sessions about care experience.
One young person from the Care Council has also joined the Hampshire County Council Corporate Parenting Board. Working directing with County Councillors and senior council staff, they bring youth voice, informed by young people from across the county, directly to decision makers.
Following its success, the group are now developing a second video aimed at primary schools to help even younger children feel seen, understood and supported.
This case study was shortlisted for the Voice Award at the A National Voice Awards 2025, and came in 2nd place.