Having fun

Why?

Sheffield regularly take part in the Bright Spots programme – they take the time to listen and respond to how their children are feeling and focus on things that impact on well-being. One area that children in care have highlighted as important is having lots of chances to have fun and making sure processes/things associated with the care system don’t inadvertently hinder this happening. Children in Sheffield have said they wish they had more friends and better friendships.

What?

Sheffield have started an annual event called ‘Just Do it’. The event is for children in care and care leavers – it showcases local opportunities to get involved in activities, sports, hobbies, and groups. The local authority is committed to making sure children have interests they enjoy outside of school or college – such as swimming, music, drama, football, guides, scouts, cadets, St Johns First Aid, snooker, sports or animal welfare. Having these opportunities not only helps with developing new skills, but also the chance for friendships and a sense of belonging that can support their confidence and potentially last into and through adulthood. Sheffield describe the aims of the event:

+ Raise awareness of ‘what’s out there’ for our children and young people

+ Raise awareness of ‘what’s out there’ for our carers (fostering and residential)

+ Provide taster sessions for our children and young people to ‘give it a go’.

Impact

The ‘Just Do It’ event is now a regular fixture in the calendar – it has been held twice with plans underway for a third time.

So far 200 children and carers have attended and 40 local organisations been involved. Feedback from both carers and young people has been positive.

Improving accommodation options

WhY?

Dorset recognised that a number of their care leavers did not feel safe where they lived. They have developed a number of services to help address this. Young people have supported this work.

What?

+ Increase the number of staying put arrangements and encouraging young people to remain in supported lodgings post 18

+ Implemented the rent guarantor scheme https://www.maryannehodd.co.uk/

+ Working with private landlords and Housing Association so young people are properly supported when they first move into their own accommodation

+ Developed a quick response service to support young people with difficulties so they can remain in their accommodation and don’t have to keep moving.

+ Increasing the number of one bedroom accommodation available to care leavers, especially in the Weymouth area

Impact

It is early days in the work and impact will take time to be felt, but Dorset continue to keep this issue on the agenda and continue to work on making sure they have a range of safe accommodation options for their young people.

Coram Voice response to the supported accommodation consultation

13 Apr 23

This month Ofsted starts registering Supported Accommodation providers so they can inspect homes for 16 and 17 years old in care next year. The Department for Education published new guidance and regulations last month. Coram Voice responded to the consultation and have supported young people to inform Ofsted’s work in this area.

Whilst we welcome some of the language of the quality standards that emphasise the importance of trusting relationships, feeling safe, young people’s voice, we remain concerned about the creation of regulations that specifies that some looked after children do not require care. The proposed framework focuses more on managing accommodation rather than providing a nurturing home environment. All children in care deserve to live in homes where they feel safe, settled and cared about.

We believe that the reforms reinforce a two-tier system of children’s social care where children in supported accommodation do not get the care children in other placements would get. We are concerned that this means that some vulnerable children and young people are not adequately supported.

In our Bright Spots research (Selwyn & Briheim-Crookall (2022) we found that a greater proportion of young people in residential care and living ‘somewhere else’ (mostly supported accommodation, but also other settings like prison or hospital) reported lower well-being, e.g. more did not feel safe where they lived, disliked their bedrooms, did not have a trusted adult, and felt the adults they live with did not notice how they were feeling.

Looked after children’s well-being by placement type

 

Through our Always Heard national advocacy helpline and safety net young people have told us about feeling unsafe in the places that they have been placed. Some young people responding to our Your Life Your Care survey also describe negative experiences in supported accommodation:

“I would live with nicer people. They just start all the time, arguing, fighting, shouting, I cannot sleep properly. I cannot cook in the kitchen because it is so dirty. You do not really feel human with social workers. They do not care.” (young person responding to Bright Spots survey)

Brigid Robinson said “We believe that children are children until they turn 18 and support should be consistent throughout their time in care. The state has a responsibility to ensure that all young people in care are provided care until they are adults. They should get the support and care they need to feel safe and thrive.”

Whilst we disagree with the reforms we will continue to support young people to have a voice as the framework is being developed. We believe it is essential that care experienced children and young people are given a platform to be heard when decisions are made that are important to their lives.

Ring Doorbell Scheme

Why?

Comments left in the Your Life Beyond Care survey, reported that a number of care leavers in Stockport did not feel safe where they were living.

What?

In response to the YLBC findings young people were asked more about why they did not feel safe where they lived.

Young people had the idea that ‘Ring’ video doorbells could help. The local authority piloted this – initially with 8 young people so they could see who was approaching their door via their Smartphone.

If young people did not have WIFI or phone this was provided. The cost is just over £100 per young person.

Impact

Those taking part completed a survey at the start and end of the 30 day trial – everyone was very positive about the idea. It will now be rolled out and offered to all care leavers signing a tenancy.

Oldham Council are now running a similar scheme.

Opportunity Brokers

In this short video, Joanne Wood, Opportunity Manager, discusses this role and explains why it is so important.

Why?

It was recognised that to support care leavers to lead happy and successful lives they sometimes needed extra help to engage in activities. The Opportunity Brokers work alongside the Personal Advisor to help young people fulfil their aspirations and dreams.

What?

The Opportunity Brokers work with all care leavers following a referral from the Personal Advisor. This includes young people who are being supported under the Always Here scheme that provides care leavers with ongoing support after the age of 25.

The Opportunity Brokers develop contacts in local businesses, training providers, social and sports clubs so they can create opportunities for care leavers. If the young person is not ready to work towards their goal they are supported to deal with underlying issues – such as engaging in bereavement counselling, getting basic educational qualifications etc.

In some cases, practical support is offered to help the young person get to the first day of work or activity. At other times they work closely with the PA and provide information about suitable courses/jobs etc. to the PA who will then support the young person to access the courses.  Their approach is flexible to meet the needs of the young person.

Impact

In 2022, nearly 30% of North Yorkshire care leavers said they felt very positive about their futures. As well as supporting young people to take up training and employment opportunities, the scheme has helped young people to become a football coach, join a local theatre group and to take up a place at university.