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The South Gloucestershire Children and Young People Plan (CYPP) and the Children in Care Implementation Plan are based on a principle that we will involve and act on the views of children and young people.
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The Corporate Parenting Strategy makes consultation and participation of children a priority. Members consult and communicate with young people and recently received a training day on Total respect and accompanied five young people in care/care leavers to London for the Beacon presentation.
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Children and young people were involved in making Reviews more child centred and participative resulting in new procedures. Review of Arrangements occur within the statutory requirements and the child has the choice about the format of the review and consultation prior to review to record their views. The child can meet the Independent Reviewing Manager alone and is actively encouraged to attend his/her review to contribute to decision-making.
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The department has been chosen as a pilot authority for Right2B Cared4, a white paper proposal for ensuring that young people are able to “veto” decisions about leaving care. Young people have been actively engaged in working with the advocacy service and have met with a government Minister to express their views about this pilot and other matters in connection with the Children Bill. They have now been invited by the Minister to make a presentation in London.
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A young person’s Right2Bcared4 Reference Group is being arranged so the project is fully inclusive. Each child will have the right to nominate an independent person of their choosing to assist in voicing their views and wishes.
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The view of each fostered child is requested for the annual review of a foster carer and taken into account when considering the performance of the carer in their caring role.
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A group of 7-11 year old children in care has been developed to enable children voice their opinions on their care and other issues. The group has completed one set of meetings and another is underway at present
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Children in care and care leavers are trained to recruit staff and routinely included in interview panels for front line staff, with full voting rights.
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Young people involved in Work Experience have given feedback to the Corporate Parenting Steering group by attending the meeting. They arranged and hosted an event to celebrate their achievements where awards were presented by the Executive member for Children and Young People.
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A young person in care has been appointed to a Volunteer position in the department on an assisted learning position with a view to full time employment in the future. Another is due to join us in September (year 12)
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A group of young people are trainers of staff and members in Total Respect. We also have young trainers for foster carers courses and preparation groups.
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Young people in care are involved in the Participation Conference with the Participation Officer.
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Young people interviewed senior officers as part of the “11 Million” take over day on November 23 2007.
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Young people are trainers for Ready Steady Change.
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Children are encouraged to make representations and complaints about aspects of their care. Close working with the Safeguarding Manager ensures issues are addressed appropriately. An Advocate is routinely offered to a child if a complaint is made.
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Children over 10yrs are encouraged to use an advocate to assist with their involvement and expressing their views in Child Protection conferences, through an opt-out Child Protection Advocacy service.
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Consultation about transport occurred prior to changing procedures and children contributed to production of flyers to assist safe travel.
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Children and young people have been involved in the production and updating of the Being in Care Guide, an information resource which all young people in permanent care receive.
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Children and young people with care-experience produce, edit and design a bi-annual newsletter, “Total Respect”, which goes out to all young people in care and who have left care.
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A member of the Foster Panel was fostered as a child.
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Young people have taken part in a research project looking into what prevents children from accessing IAG (information, advice and Guidance) and has been part of the development of an implementation plan for ways to ensure access to IAG can be ensured.
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Young people are fully involved in the planning and arrangements for the annual Celebration of achievements and recently video interviewed other children to gain their views to inform next year’s event.
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Care-leavers have been trained to run a peer consultation project, “Tell It As It Is”, which asks young people who are about to end their involvement with the Continuing Support Service (CSS Team) about their experience of this service and their leaving care. This will inform CSS in developing their service, with young people’s views at the centre.