Why?
Findings from Bromley’s Bright Spots children in care survey revealed that 90% of their children and young people aged 4-17 felt that the adults they lived with noticed how they were feeling. Whilst this large percentage was good, a small number reported that their carers ‘hardly ever’ or ‘never’ noticed. The children in care council felt that it was important that all children and young people felt noticed.
What?
LINCC (Bromley’s children in care council) started by discussing why this issue was important. They thought that if adults did not notice then it “can give negative energy between the two people so you will not be able to trust or talk to them”, and may lead to children feeling, “unwanted or worthless.”
LINCC co-hosted a large event to discuss the Bright Spots findings and bring people together to work on ways to improve the service. Over 60 people attended. There was a mixed audience including the Director of Children’s Services, councillors, service leads and 10 young people from LINCC. There were 2 young people per table and they chaired the discussion. Some of the ideas included:
- Train foster carers/social workers on how they can understand when a child living with them is happy or sad.
- Encourage workers to go out with their young people.
One of the top 5 areas LINCC continue to work on is ‘to promote and support the building of trusting relationships’. The group organised a ‘speed dating’ style event with over 40 social workers and young people in attendance.
Impact
Bromley committed to doing the Bright Spots surveys again two years after the original survey. The percentage of children and young people who reported that the adults they lived with noticed their feelings had increased by 2% to 92%.
One young person stated, “My carer is really supportive.”
Another said, “A really important thing is to remember that people in care think it’s their fault and that they are not loved. It’s important that the families they stay with ensure that they are not alone or unloved. You are human just like everyone else and being in care doesn’t change you as a person.”